Pimentel clarifies WPP budget; confers with Russian Ambassador

On Nov 14, 2024

SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III scrutinizes the budget of the witness protection program (WPP) during Wednesday’s budget deliberation of the Department of Justice November 13, 2024.

Pimentel wanted to know how the program fared in 2024 when its budget was smaller as compared to the 2023 budget.

Russian Ambassador HE Marat Pavlov, conferring with Sen. Koko Pimentel at the sideline of a DFA-sponsored event, November 8, 2024 (photo credit: Russian Embassy TG channel).

“How many are enrolled in the program? Have we reached the point that we have to reject applicants to the program due to lack of funds? In effect, how much are we spending per witness under the program?” Pimentel asked.

The Minority Leader was told that the government is spending P352,987 per year or P29, 416 per month per witness and their benefits were slashed down in 2024 due to shortage of funds. Pimentel was also informed that the period of coverage for a witness is seven years and that there are currently 582 individuals under the WPP.

Russian Ambassador with Pimentel

Meanwhile, H.E. Marat I. Pavlov, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines, attended the Foreign Policy Address at the Department of Foreign Affairs last November 8 where Pimentel was also the guest speaker. Pimentel is also the chair of the Philippines-Russia Senate Friendship Association.

The Ambassador also conferred with DFA Secrtary Enrique Manalo and Robert Borje, executive director of the Climate Change Commission.

(Senate PRIB /Embassy of the Russian Federation)