Gov’t checking if Napoles kin indicted for money laundering are in PH

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is already coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to determine if any of Janet Lim-Napoles’ relatives indicted for money laundering is still in the Philippines.

“Those (indicted Napoles kin) who are here and not facing charges in Philippine courts may be the subject of a request for extradition; those who are in the US may be immediately arrested,” Guevarra said in text message to reporters.

“We shall continue to extend legal assistance to our US counterparts, including the possible extradition of certain persons who might be found here,” he added.

On Tuesday, the US Department of Justice said Napoles, her children Jo Christine, James Christopher and Jeane, brother Reynald Lim and his wife Ana were indicted for money laundering and conspiracy.

American prosecutors said the money was used to purchase assets in the US, including property and luxury vehicles.

However, Guevarra said their US counterpart has yet to make a formal extradition request.

For Napoles who is facing a string of plunder and anti-graft charges, Guevarra said there two options available:

(1) defer extradition proceedings until the Philippine case is terminated and/or she has served her sentence; or

(2) temporarily surrender her to the requesting state so that she may be prosecuted there, subject to terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the Philippines and the U.S.

However, he said the Sandiganbayan has the last say on the matter.

“The Sandiganbayan has exclusive jurisdiction over the Napoles cases here. The DOJ is not even the prosecutor in those cases. Besides, the US DOJ has not submitted any formal request for extradition. But if that comes to pass, we will evaluate the options provided under the law and our extradition treaty with the US,” said.