The Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified that restitution is not a precondition for admission to the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

“Just to be clear, restitution, it's not a precondition to be admitted to the program.

“The restitution provided by these witnesses is something that they voluntarily provided or committed to based on the memorandum of agreement that they have with the WPP. It's just to be clear on that matter,” Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said Thursday during a press briefing.

Dato said restitution is a technical term in law, adding that the DOJ remains committed to recovering public funds.

The clarification came as the DOJ vowed to continue its efforts to recover public funds allegedly lost in the flood-control projects controversy.

Dato said the department would pursue the recovery of government funds from witnesses admitted to the WPP, who have committed to returning money to the government as part of their cooperation.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez likewise clarified that restitution is not a requirement for admission to the WPP.

“The restitution provided by these witnesses is something that they voluntarily provided or committed to based on the memorandum of agreement that they have with the WPP,” Martinez said.

Earlier, the DOJ reported that more than P841 million had been remitted to the government by four individuals, including former senior Department of Public Works and Highways officials and a private contractor cooperating with the investigation.

The department expects additional recoveries as its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood-control projects continues.