Best incentive for whistleblowers

I’m fascinated by the bill filed by Iloilo 5th District Rep. Niel Tupas to include among incentives to potential whistleblowers, plastic surgery for the face and body.

TV shows should interview Vicky Belo how she plans to transform those who are currently under WPP. Benhur Luy of the PDAF/Janet Napoles scam, for example. Who does he want to look like? It would not be advisable to look like a celebrity in the local scene. It would create complications which they should avoid. The less controversial they would be under their new persona, the better. He can choose to look like Tom Cruise or Channing Tatum.

How would Belo transform Norie Unas, former chief of staff of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr, who is a state witness in the electoral sabotage case against Gloria Arroyo?

It should be recalled that Unas, despite the fact that he was part of the planning and cover up of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre that killed 58 people, 32 of them members of media, was not among those charged because he agreed to be a witness in the electoral sabotage case against Arroyo. This is also despite the fact that all that he said he heard Arroyo say was to make sure that all the senatorial candidates of Team Unity win. He is now under the Witness Protection Program.

Tupas said, “Practicality will be limited to plastic surgery sa face at katawan… kasi pag gender change, the purpose isn’t to conceal, it’s personal, so hindi na kailangan gastusan ng gobyerno.”
Makes sense.

Tupas said under his proposed bill, those who will be admitted to the WPP may opt for a change of name and physiology, and even a facelift. This is to protect them from retaliation of criminals who would be charged and possibly convicted because of their testimony.

Those who are overweight can have a lipo. Belo and Calayan will be very busy.

According to reports the body part that Filipinos usually change through plastic surgery is the nose. With the popularity of Angelina Jolie, we have seen some celebrities having those famous pillow lips. Whistleblowers can aspire to have Angelina Jolie lips.

In other countries, it’s not only physical appearance of state witnesses that is changed. It’s the whole identity. They usually change residence.

Tupas’ bill provides that the secretary of justice, upon the application of the witness covered under the program and in accordance with the rules, may order a change of first name, middle name and/or family name of the witness covered, without need of a separate judicial order or administrative proceeding.

“Their records will still be there, but they will have a new name to conceal their identity, which they could use in transactions,” he said.

The existing benefits enjoyed by whistleblowers under the WPP are not attractive enough to those who want to help the government. They include free medical treatment, hospitalization and medicine for any injury or illness incurred or suffered while acting as a witness and burial benefits of not less than P10,000 if the witness is killed because of his participation in the program.

Other benefits: Security protection services; Immunity from criminal prosecution and not to be subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for any transaction, matter or thing concerning his compelled testimony or books, documents or writings produced; Secure housing facility; assistance in obtaining a means of livelihood; Reasonable traveling expenses and subsistence allowance while acting as a witness; free education from primary to college level for the minor or dependent children of a witness who dies or is permanently incapacitated; non-removal or demotion in work because of absences due to his being a witness and payment of full salary or wage while acting as witness.

Ruby Tuason, former social secretary of former President (now Manila Mayor) Joseph Estrada, is applying to be admitted to the WPP.

A journalist remarked: “Looks like she has done it ahead of Tupas’s bill.”