Manila, Philippines – Former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara has been formally transferred under the Department of Justice’s custody from the Senate given his admission to the Witness Protection Program.
Personnel of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) fetched Alcantara from the Senate around 12 noon on Wednesday.
This custody transfer is in line with Alcantara’s admission to WPP on December 5, as stated under Republic Act No. 6981 or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act.
In a letter to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto date January 21, DOJ officer-in-charge Secretary Fredderick Vida requested the immediate transfer of Alcantara’s custody to the DOJ citing rules and laws.
Sotto confirmed that the Senate allowed the transfer under legal procedures and processes.
Alcantara has been under the Senate custody since September 18 after a contempt citation from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee over allegedly lying during the flood control scandal investigation.
Despite the custody transfer, DOJ assures Alcantara’s full cooperation with Senate if the Blue Ribbon Committee requests his appearance.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News