MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Pera na, naging bato pa, is a Filipino expression that roughly means someone is expecting money (as in a reward) only to be told the money is not coming after all.

That’s exactly what the Philippines’ Department of Justice said today following its earlier announcement that a P2 Million reward awaits anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of wanted former Bureau of Corrections Chief Gerald Bantag.

Bantag is wanted for his alleged involvement in the murder of broadcast journalist Percy Lapid.

DOJ said that unless Bantag is convicted, informants will get nothing, as in zero, nada, zilch!

But conviction is not within the purview of informants. Rather, it depends on the case presented, and the competency of prosecutors.

So what’s in it for informants? That’s the 2-million peso question.