Malacañang distanced itself from the P1 million bounty raised against National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Liza Maza, former Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, and two former party-list lawmakers.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that even with the million-peso reward, Maza remains a member of the Cabinet unless the President fires her.
“The P1 million reward offered is a private initiative. As far as we are concerned, all aspects of this case are in the hands of the court and we look forward to an impartial and expeditious trial,” Roque said in a statement Sunday.
Citizen’s Crime Watch (CCW), a civil society group, offered the P1 million bounty for any information leading to the arrest of Maza, Mariano, and former Bayan Muna representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño.
CCW national president Diego Magpantay said Saturday the amount was raised by concern citizens who do not want to be named
“They wanted to remain anonymous that is why they channeled their money through Citizens’ Crime Watch,” said Magpantay, adding anyone who can give leads will receive P250,000 each for the accused individuals on the alleged killing of their political rivals.
“There were people who volunteered to donate the money. They are also [anti-]crime advocates but opted to be anonymous. They do not want their identities to be revealed, so they asked the help of the Citizen’s Crime Watch [instead] because of their trust,” he said.
Arrest warrants were issued by a regional trial court in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija against the four accused of double-murder charges filed in 2006.
