Section 16Sec./Art. 16

Section 15 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 25, and all succeeding sections of the same Act are hereby deleted.

"Sec. 25. Immunity, Discharge of Co-Respondent/Accused to be a Witness. Any public official or employee or any person having been charged with another offense under this Act and who voluntarily gives information pertaining to an investigation or who willingly testifies therefore, shall be exempt from prosecution in the case/s where his/her information and testimony are given. The discharge may be granted and directed by the investigating body or court upon the application or petition of any of the respondent/accused-informant and before the termination of the investigation: Provided, That:

"(a) There is absolute necessity for the testimony of the respondent/accused-informant whose discharge is requested;

"(b) There is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the offense committed, except the testimony of said respondent/accused-informant;

"(c) The testimony of said respondent can be substantially corroborated in its material points;

"(d) The respondent/accused-informant has not been previously convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and

"(e) Said respondent/accused-informant does not appear to be the most guilty.

"Evidence adduced in support of the discharge shall automatically form part of the records of the investigation. Should the investigating body or court deny the motion or request for discharge as a witness, his/her sworn statement shall be inadmissible as evidence."