De Lima: Napoles, ready to tell all
With the unannounced return of Atty. Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, former chief of staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, last week — both indicted in plunder raps on the multi-billion pork barrel fund scam — the public hoped she could testify in the blue ribbon committee and tell her tale. Apparently, while almost all urged her to speak up, including Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, the justice secretary has a different plan in mind.
Department of Justice (DOJ) chief Leila de Lima revealed in a press conference Tuesday that alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles is ready to tell all in exchange for being state witness in an effort to avoid criminal prosecution. The two met Monday night at the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) where Napoles is currently confined and about to undergo surgery.
“No deal was made,” De Lima clarified, “only the commitment that Napoles’ statements will be evaluated.”
Prior the meeting, three conditions had been set: 1) Napoles will tell all that she knows about the pork barrel racket; 2) she will only disclose information to De Lima; and 3) there is no commitment that she will be made state witness.
De Lima said that DOJ, with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), will still have to review Napoles’ statements vis-a-vis the statements of other witnesses before she qualifies. The evaluation will then be turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman for decision.
“We have not totally closed our doors on the possibility,” said De Lima.
Under Section 7, Rule 119 of the Revised Penal Code, one of the requirements to qualify as state witness is to appear to not be the “most guilty.”
However, Atty. Raymond Fortun in his Facebook post opined that among all accused in the pork barrel scam, Napoles is “the least worthy to be discharged as a state witness.”
“She is the mastermind of the entire scam, having offered a 50 percent cut to senators and congressmen if their PDAF will be coursed through her bogus [non-government organizations]. She benefited the most from the entire scheme,” the post read.
Napoles preferred over others
The DOJ chief had been implying in recent media interviews that she would rather have Napoles as witness over Reyes.
In an interview yesterday, De Lima said it is “pointless” to talk Reyes into turning as state witness when Napoles has more useful information for the prosecution.
As well, De Lima believed that while Benhur Luy and other witnesses, who used to be assistants of businesswoman Napoles, “may know some things about the pork barrel scam but not everything ... Napoles knows more.”
Pending the completion of validation of Napoles’ claims, De Lima refused to disclose information about the former’s sworn statements. De Lima stressed that further details are yet to be added in the affidavit as they conduct “follow-up sessions” for clarification purposes.
She also shared that Napoles had been meaning to meet with her even before the Holy Week “kasi baka may mangyari.”
Napoles will be undergoing surgical operations to remove cysts in her uterus at OsMak.
Security threats
De Lima also shared that Napoles has been “an open target.”
“She realized that the longer that she remains silent, the more her life remains at risk,” De Lima said.
“Kaya namin siya sini-secure kasi may expectation ang gobyerno na magsasalita siya.”
Prior her meeting with Napoles, De Lima said she asked for clearance from President Benigno Aquino III as this posed a national concern.
Aquino reportedly told her, “Let’s see what Napoles has to say and let’s start from there.” •
Department of Justice (DOJ) chief Leila de Lima revealed in a press conference Tuesday that alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles is ready to tell all in exchange for being state witness in an effort to avoid criminal prosecution. The two met Monday night at the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) where Napoles is currently confined and about to undergo surgery.
“No deal was made,” De Lima clarified, “only the commitment that Napoles’ statements will be evaluated.”
Prior the meeting, three conditions had been set: 1) Napoles will tell all that she knows about the pork barrel racket; 2) she will only disclose information to De Lima; and 3) there is no commitment that she will be made state witness.
De Lima said that DOJ, with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), will still have to review Napoles’ statements vis-a-vis the statements of other witnesses before she qualifies. The evaluation will then be turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman for decision.
“We have not totally closed our doors on the possibility,” said De Lima.
Under Section 7, Rule 119 of the Revised Penal Code, one of the requirements to qualify as state witness is to appear to not be the “most guilty.”
However, Atty. Raymond Fortun in his Facebook post opined that among all accused in the pork barrel scam, Napoles is “the least worthy to be discharged as a state witness.”
“She is the mastermind of the entire scam, having offered a 50 percent cut to senators and congressmen if their PDAF will be coursed through her bogus [non-government organizations]. She benefited the most from the entire scheme,” the post read.
Napoles preferred over others
The DOJ chief had been implying in recent media interviews that she would rather have Napoles as witness over Reyes.
In an interview yesterday, De Lima said it is “pointless” to talk Reyes into turning as state witness when Napoles has more useful information for the prosecution.
As well, De Lima believed that while Benhur Luy and other witnesses, who used to be assistants of businesswoman Napoles, “may know some things about the pork barrel scam but not everything ... Napoles knows more.”
Pending the completion of validation of Napoles’ claims, De Lima refused to disclose information about the former’s sworn statements. De Lima stressed that further details are yet to be added in the affidavit as they conduct “follow-up sessions” for clarification purposes.
She also shared that Napoles had been meaning to meet with her even before the Holy Week “kasi baka may mangyari.”
Napoles will be undergoing surgical operations to remove cysts in her uterus at OsMak.
Security threats
De Lima also shared that Napoles has been “an open target.”
“She realized that the longer that she remains silent, the more her life remains at risk,” De Lima said.
“Kaya namin siya sini-secure kasi may expectation ang gobyerno na magsasalita siya.”
Prior her meeting with Napoles, De Lima said she asked for clearance from President Benigno Aquino III as this posed a national concern.
Aquino reportedly told her, “Let’s see what Napoles has to say and let’s start from there.” •