Palace cool on bid to make Uriarte witness in PCSO scam By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 07/10/2011

Palace cool on bid to make Uriarte witness in PCSO scam

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 07/10/2011

The Aquino administration has rejected a proposal to turn former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Rosario Uriarte into a state witness against her erstwhile boss former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo over supposed anomalies in the use of PCSO funds during Arroyo’s watch.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said on radio it might not be possible at this time for the government, through the Department of Justice, to turn Uriarte into a state witness because apart from the fact that the circumstances behind the alleged anomalies at the PCSO are still being unraveled, she might not also qualify to become one under the guideline set by the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act (Republic Act 6981).

“It’s premature. It’s too early too tell, ” Valte said in response to the proposal of Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada that Uriarte be turned into a state witness.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations RA 6981, any person who has participated in the commission of a crime and desires to be a Witness for the state, can only qualify whenever the following circumstances are present: the offense in which his testimony will be used is a grave felony as defined under the Revised Penal Code or its equivalent under special laws;.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110710hed2.html