Miriam gets into Makati fray HEIGHTENED 24-HOUR SECURITY SOUGHT FOR COA COMMISSIONER

By Matikas Santos

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has asked Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas to provide heightened VIP police protection for Commission on Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza to protect her from threats and pressure.

“If we let this pass, no other significant witness will be willing to testify in any congressional hearing because of fear. Let’s put our boots on the ground and stomp out fear sown by hooligans,” Santiago said in a statement Friday.

Mendoza revealed before a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing that she was being threatened and pressured to desist from testifying further on the alleged corruption charges against former Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay.

Santiago said that she would also file a resolution in the Senate by October 7 calling for heightened and fully-armed, 24-hour VIP police protection in favor of Mendoza.

Santiago criticized the present Witness Protection Program (WPP) for not having an organic intelligence and security force. Its security force is composed of contractual personnel and sometimes augmented by personnel from the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation, she said.

A separate law is needed to protect COA auditors who risk their lives investigating anomalous government transactions involving powerful politicians, Santiago said.

The Binays are being investigated by the blue ribbon committee for alleged corrupt practices including bid rigging which includes the reportedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II.