Lacson foe can run for mayor under witness protection -- DoJ Tetch Torres INQ7.net
November 14, 2006
FORMER government informant Mary "Rosebud" Ong can run for mayor in Manila even if she is under the government's Witness Protection Program (WPP), Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuņo said.
"There is nothing in the WPP rules prohibiting them to run for the elections," Zuņo said.
Ong, who has been under the WPP since she testified on the alleged criminal activities of Senator Panfilo Lacson and other ranking police officials, announced she was contesting the same position being sought by her arch foe soon after Lacson declared his candidacy for Manila mayor on Monday.
But Zuņo clarified that they will require Ong to strictly coordinate with them on her security arrangements.
"We also have to make sure that the money she will use in her campaign is separate from what she has been receiving as a state witness," he added.
