Friday, February 29, 2008 Villar assures security for Madriaga
TROJAN horse or not, walk-in whistleblower Dante Madriaga needs a safe place to stay and the Senate will give him one, said Senate President Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr.
During the past Senate hearing on the questionable national broadband network (NBN) contract, Madriaga linked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo and four others to the controversy.
Madriaga claimed that the First Couple was among the "greedy people" who helped themselves with a US$41-million kickback from the aborted China-funded telecommunications deal.
"There will be room in the inn," Villar said, after Madriaga lamented that he and his wife and their seven children can no longer be safe in their modest Parañaque home after he exposed the anomalous NBN deal.
Villar said he has instructed the committees in charge and the Senate sergeant-at-arms to make security arrangements for Madriaga and his family.
The lawmaker explained that the reason why there was no security waiting for Madriaga is that he was a snap witness so no prior security arrangements were made.
As the Senate anticipates more whistle-blowers to come out, it is important that we show our value for the rare breed of men by taking care of them and placing them out of harm so others will have the courage to step forward too, Villar said.
Asked if the Senate is not afraid of taking into protective custody a witness whose testimony has yet to be corroborated, Villar said it is our obligation to take a more cautious position and provide security for Madriaga as the investigation continues. (CPB/Sunnex)
