Tough times for whistleblowers,
says bishop

ARCHBISHOP emeritus Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan yesterday said the ambush-slay of jueteng-gate witness Wilfredo "Boy" Mayor in Pasay city on Sunday is certain to send a chill down the spines of would-be whistleblowers.

"They did not only murder one person but they sent the message, a very chilling message: to everybody, keep quiet or else, you’ll get it," Cruz told a Church-organized forum.

Cruz said he believes the ambush is related to a new expose that Mayor had wanted to make.

Cruz said Mayor met him last week to consult on his plans to face the media and reveal information of a public works contract scam in Albay which involved a well-known private construction company in the Bicol region.

He said he believes that the same company could be behind the ambush.

Asked whether the alleged scam also involved government officials, Cruz answered in the affirmative.

"Ang nilista niya (Mayor) mga eight or nine… May incumbent, merong kakandidato uli," said Cruz.

Cruz said there are members of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party and Nacionalista Party in the list.

He said the incumbent officials involved in the scam go as high as the "Upper House and Lower House".

He said he is ready to face any investigation.

"It is up to the proper authorities to invite me or not but I have no problem with that," said Cruz.

It was Cruz who presented Mayor as a witness in the jueteng scandal being probed by the Senate in 2005.

Mayor testified that presidential spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo, son Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo and brother Negros Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo received cuts from jueteng payola.

Jueteng witness Sandra Cam has also requested police protection.

Mayor and Cam are members of the Whistle-blowers Association, a group of witnesses who have testified in several investigations on various scandals in the Arroyo administration.

Cam said she initially requested the Masbate police for security, but was told to course the request through the Commission on Elections because of the election period.

"I asked for temporary security, but up to now the police have not acted on my request supposedly because they are under the Comelec. I find my situation very difficult," she said.

Cam is running a school in Cavite but often goes to Masbate. – Gerard Naval

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