Philippines Witness Protection Program

Philippines Witness Protection Program
Administered by	Department of Justice
Codified under	Republic Act No. 6981
Year established	1991
Annual budget	₱424.18 million [1] (2025)
Authorized by	Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act of 1991

The Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (WPSBP) or simply the Witness Protection Program (WPP) is the witness protection scheme by the Philippine government. It is codified under Republic Act No. 6981.

A state witness under the WPP are accused but is determined to be the "least guilty" in a crime. They are free from criminal liability and given protection by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in exchange of full cooperation in investigations. Other persons may be given protection by the DOJ without being a state witness.

Background

The Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (WPSBP) or the Witness Protection Program (WPP) was institutionalized by Republic Act No. 6981 or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act on April 21, 1991. ^{[2] [3]}

State witnesses

Beneficiaries of the witness protection program are referred to as "state witnesses". They people who express willingness to provide testimony before a court, quasi-judicial body, and investigating authorities. It mandates the Department of Justice to provide protection to witnesses of "grave crimes". ^{[4] [5]} A state witness in a case is drawn among the accused. ^[6]

Qualification

The qualification to become a state witness are: ^[3]

• The offense in which his testimony will be used is a grave felony as defined under the Revised Penal Code or its equivalent under special laws;
• There is absolute necessity for their testimony
• There is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the offense committed:
• Their testimony can be substantially corroborated on its material points
• They do not appear to be most guilty; and
• They have not at any time been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude

A person is admitted as a state witness upon entering a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Justice where their responsibilities are defined such as compliances with "legal obligations and civil judgments" levied against them. ^[7]

A key qualification is that a state witness is the "least guilty" and not a principal of a given crime. ^{[4] [8]}

Relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity are also qualified to be state witnesses as long as they face threat on their lives or bodily injury. Law enforcement agents are not qualified to become state witnesses themselves but their relatives could still qualify. ^[2]

Benefits and obligations

A state witness is afforded protection by the state and are freed from criminal liability in exchange for full cooperation in investigations. ^{[5] [9]}

People who are under the WPP as state witnesses are given housing, security escorts, as well as medical and livelihood assistance. The government provides financial aid for the burial of killed state witnesses as well as their dependent children if any. ^[2]

In 1995, the Department of Justice entered in an agreement with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), that state witnesses may choose to be relocated and employed abroad. ^[10]

Protected witnesses

A "protected witness" is an ordinary individual with knowledge of a crime who is willing to make a testimony. ^[11] They are also provided security and financial and medical aid by the state but are not state witnesses. ^{[5] [9]}

List of state witnesses

• Jessica Alfaro – 1991 Vizconde murders ^[12]
• Aurelio Centeno and Vicencio Malabanan – 1993 Murders of Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez ^[13]

Reform

Theodore Te of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) made a proposal in August 2022, that law enforcement agents be made eligible under the WPP so they can testify for extrajudicial killing cases. ^{[14] [15]}

References

1. "XVII: Department of Justice". National Expenditure Program FY 2025 (PDF). Vol. 2. p. 469. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
2. Bonabente, Cyril (June 22, 2007). "In the Know: Witness Protection Program". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Research. p. A10. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
3. "Republic Act No. 6981". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
4. Pascua, Micah (September 21, 2025). "Fact Check: Do the Discayas qualify as state witnesses?". Vera Files. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
5. Bolledo, Jairo (September 24, 2025). "Witnesses, including Discayas, can be given security for now — DOJ". Rappler. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
6. Abanto, Rowegie (September 10, 2010). "Flood control scandal: Who can be a state witness?". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
7. Casilao, Joahna Lei (September 24, 2025). "IBP chief: Law requires return of ill-gotten wealth by witnesses". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
8. "Lawyer backs Remulla: 'Pwede hingan ng restitution ang witness protection'". ABC-CBN News. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
9. Buan, Lian (March 17, 2018). "Will Napoles be state witness? Spotlight on the Special Prosecutor". Rappler. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
10. "State Witnesses May Now Be Relocated Abroad". Manila Standard. November 12, 1995. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
11. "Watch: What Is The Difference Between Protected Witness And State Witness?". One News. September 25, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
12. Lanuza, Angelo; Ignacio, Bert (August 24, 1995). "High Court junks Webb bail appeal". Manila Standard. p. 3. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
13. Aravilla, Jose; Dizon, Nikko (January 15, 2003). "What have 8 years in Munti done to Sanchez?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
14. "Time to review! Ex-SC spox backs amendments to law on Witness Protection Program". Politiko.com.ph. August 27, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
15. "PNP backs plan to include cops in witness protection program". Philippine News Agency. August 28, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

External links

• "Witness Protection Security and Benefit Program Application Checklist" (PDF). Department of Justice.