De Lima: Tuason now a 'provisional' state witness

MANILA, Philippines - Ruby Tuason, the alleged representative for Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile in the "pork barrel" scam, is a "provisional" state witness under the Department of Justice's (DOJ) protection program.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that coming from the DOJ office in Manila, Tuason was preparing to affirm her affidavits before the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City on Friday, a few hours after she returned to the country from San Francisco.

"Sasamahan ko po sila sa Ombudsman. State witness na siya, provisionally covered," De Lima told reporters in a televised interview.

Earlier: Ex-Jinggoy aide surfaces to tell all on pork scam

The Ombudsman will have to evaluate on whether Tuason's status as state witness can be permanently granted, De Lima explained.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said that Tuason's application for immunity will depend on her sincerity to help in the plunder cases.

"I'd like to emphasize that your application for being an immune witness will be conditional because we will see to it that you will not wedge on your promise to testify for the prosecution," Carpio said.

"Now we're on the same side," Carpio added.

De Lima said that Tuason only asked protection for herself and her family in exchange for her to cooperate in the investigation.

"She's entitled to protection [and] her family, too. 'Yan ang kahiling-hilingan niya, na protektahan ang kanyang pamilya," De Lima said.

Tuason also promised to return the kickbacks that she purportedly received from the malicious Malampaya and pork barrel funds schemes.