THE Department of Justice (DOJ) said former Bulacan 1st District assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza did not immediately qualify as state witnesses because the evidence they submitted was not yet sufficient to meet the requirements of the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez explained at a news forum in Quezon City that while Hernandez and Mendoza applied to become state witnesses, the evaluation panel found that their testimonies could not yet be used for prosecution purposes based on the current evidence on record.
However, Martinez stressed that the two may still submit additional evidence to support their applications, noting that this option is open to all state witness applicants.
The DOJ, he said, remains open to any statements that could strengthen its cases.
Earlier, the DOJ admitted four individuals—including former DPWH officials and a contractor—into the WPP in connection with the alleged anomalous flood control projects.
Under the Rules of Court, state witnesses must meet strict criteria, including the necessity of testimony, lack of other direct evidence, corroboration, and proof that they are not the most guilty.
