Senate priority sought on whistleblower protection bill By Angie M. Rosales 09/18/2010

Senate priority sought on whistleblower protection bill
By Angie M. Rosales
09/18/2010

Two senators yesterday called on the Senate to give priority to a pending bill seeking to improve state protection on witnesses or so-called whistleblowers on crimes and corrupt practices.

Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Francis Escudero supported the appeals made by former Senate key witnesses in the light of the resurgence of the jueteng payola issue and the latest revelations by witnesses in court proceedings of the Maguindanao multiple murder case.

The Senate blue ribbon committee is set to conduct another round of inquiry into the jueteng scandal beginning next week. 

Santiago said she refiled Senate Bill 1883 or the Whistleblower Protection Act which she first introduced during the 13th Congress that sought to strengthen government and even corporate accountability by supporting and protecting the right of employees to speak out about irregularities in their workplace.

“Whistleblowers automatically expect retaliation for their honesty. They are usually accused of being malcontents trying to profit from their accusations. The fear generated by retaliation creates a chilling effect on the willingness of people to come forward and expose wrongdoing,” she said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100918hed2.html