Manila, Nov. 17 -- Proceedings for state witnesses cannot be disclosed to the public and remain confidential, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday.

"We'll have to strictly abide by Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6981 (Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act) for this. Unless a written order has been issued by the Department of Justice, all proceedings and actions taken in the Witness Protection Program shall be kept confidential," DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said in a statement.

"This includes the Memorandum of Agreement agreed upon by any covered witness and the Department, if any," he added.

Martinez made the statement when sought to comment on reports that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecr...