Bacolod City Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez on Monday, August 25, called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to seek out and protect witnesses against those involved in the massive theft of government funds intended for flood control programs.
“The Department of Justice must not wait for witnesses to step forward if we want to try, convict, and imprison all those who have plundered public funds intended to save our people from the threats of flooding,” Benitez said.
Benitez said he is urging the DOJ “to seek out and protect under the mantle of the whistleblower program those officials and employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways, along with other persons with key information, who wish to stand as witnesses against the massive, corrupt conspiracy that is at work.”
This is their opportunity to reveal the truth, Benitez said, adding that it’s the government’s responsibility “to provide them with a platform and adequate protection to uphold the truth.”
The fight to bring to justice those who endanger the lives of the people will be long and hard, he said.
“But it is something that we cannot set aside if we wish to change things for the better — to have public infrastructure that takes no shortcuts and does not jeopardize life and safety, to have government processes that are free from corrupt practices, and to put fear in the hearts of those who would corrupt the system for material gain,” Benitez said.
Benitez recently held a preparatory meeting for a flood control summit for Bacolod and Bago cities.
“This planning session allows us to set the agenda, identify urgent concerns, and ensure that the summit will lead to concrete and effective solutions. Flooding is a challenge that affects us all, and through collective action we can better safeguard our communities,” he said in a Facebook post.*