Reynaldo Princesa

As the lawyer who represented Jun Lozada for the NBN-ZTE scandal, I have come to see firsthand why it is difficult and dangerous for people to stand up and speak out against corrupt deals and officials. When Jun Lozada could no longer stand keeping quiet about the gross overpricing of the NBN-ZTE contract and decided to go public and tell all he knows about the anomalies regarding the deal, his life was put in grave danger. If not for the prudent and timely protection of family and concerned citizens, he would have most likely have been kidnapped and disappeared without a trace. Today, Jun Lozada has no means of livelihood. He and his family are being sustained with the help of the good people at La Salle Greenhills. With no means to support himself and his family, and with their safety uncertain, there is little wonder why very few people would have the courage to speak against the corruption that they see. That fear is what allows corrupt officers and individuals to continue their wrongdoing. If I have the opportunity to serve in the Senate, the first item in my legislative agenda I will push for is the introduction of a WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION LAW. Today there is a very narrow category of witnesses who can avail government protection. People involved in questionable deals who wish to correct the wrong they have done (like in the case of Jun Lozada) are NOT eligible for state protection. They are still subject to prosecution which, when you add the threats to their lives and loss of livelihood, becomes a bigger DISINCENTIVE to become a witness against bigger corrupt officials. I believe the people who have the best information to bring down a corrupt official are the ones deeply involved with them (usually because of fear and coercion). If we present a viable alternative to these potential witnesses and provide reasonable protection for them and their families, we will have a more successful prosecution against these corrupt people. And when corrupt officials become aware that ANYONE THEY DEAL WITH can become a witness against them and will not be afraid of their intimidation tactics, then the incentive to commit graft in the government will be significantly lessened. To know more, please view my video on this topic at http://reyprincesa4senator.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/legislative-agenda-item-1-whistleblower-protection-law/
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