Rabusa to be placed under witness protection program

MANILA, Philippines -  Former military budget officer George Rabusa will be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

The Department of Justice is also considering granting immunity from suit to the whistleblower for his exposé against former Armed Forces chiefs Angelo Reyes, Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu.

Speaking to reporters, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Rabusa would be taken from the protective custody of the Senate and placed under the WPP on Saturday pending approval of his application.

Rabusa submitted his application for protection as a witness at the DOJ yesterday.

Accompanied by lawyer Noel Malaya, Rabusa also presented an affidavit outlining the extent of information he would be submitting.

Rabusa would be submitting a more comprehensive, extensive affidavit after completing his testimony at the Senate, according to De Lima.

“He said he has evidence that he will present before us, including documents and hopefully corroborative witness,” she said.

Santiago: My brother is not corrupt

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago believes her brother, retired Armed Forces chief Benjamin Defensor was not part of alleged corruption in the military.

Speaking to reporters, Santiago said that as far as she knows “he has not received anything.”

“He even borrows money from me because I’m older,” she said.

“He is only living in AFPOVAI Village,” referring to the AFP Officers Village Association Inc. in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

“As a lawyer, let me say that allegation is not evidence. All kinds of allegations have been hurled against me, starting with my sex appeal.”

Santiago said evidence about her brother’s supposed involvement in corrupt activities in the military should be presented to back up the allegations against him.

However, Defensor should not be given any special treatment just because he is her brother, she added.

Santiago said she will not defend her brother.

“He should be treated like all other (former) chiefs of staff are being treated,” he said.

“And if it comes up in the Senate, I will inhibit myself only with respect to him so as not to give the impression that I’m protecting him.”

Santiago advised her brother to tell the truth about what he knows, even if it means admitting guilt.

“Just tell the truth and nothing else,” she said.

“If you did it then admit it. We cannot do anything about it. If you are innocent then insist on this.

“You are very capable because you are a PMA (Philippine Military Academy) graduate. Think about how to prove that you did not receive anything because the presumption is always innocence.”

Defensor was implicated as one of the alleged recipients of millions in United Nations funds during a congressional hearing.

Defensor was about to retire when the allegedly anomalous transaction took place.

Defensor has denied the allegations.

Rabusa’s assistant to testify

Air Force Col. Antonio Ramon Lim, a former assistant of Rabusa is expected to testify before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee today.

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, Blue Ribbon committee chairman, said the Senate will look into Rabusa’s allegations that former defense secretary Reyes and former Armed Forces chiefs Villanueva and Cimatu were involved in the alleged “pasalubong” (welcome) and “pabaon” (sendoff) in the military. – With Marvin Sy, Christina Mendez, Edith Regalado