Manila: Proceedings for state witnesses cannot be disclosed to the public and remain confidential, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday. ‘We’ll have to strictly abide by Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6981 (Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act) for this. Unless a written order has been issued by the Department of Justice, all proceedings and actions taken in the Witness Protection Program shall be kept confidential,’ DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said in a statement. ‘This includes the Memorandum of Agreement agreed upon by any covered witness and the Department, if any,’ he added.

According to Philippines News Agency, Martinez made the statement when sought to comment on reports that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has returned the funds he allegedly stole from the government, in compliance with the precondition by the DOJ to becoming a state witness. The former DPWH official has earlier tagged several incumbent and former lawmakers – both in the Senate and House of Representatives – in the irregularities tied to flood-control and infrastructure projects from 2005 to 2025.