Napoles surrender in Palace draws mixed views in Visayas
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Although local and church officials welcomed the surrender of Janet Lim-Napoles, the businesswoman at the center of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, some sectors in Cebu, Iloilo and Negros Occidental questioned the move of President Benigno Aquino III to receive Napoles and personally escort her to Camp Crame.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras conversed with fugitivebusinesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and counsel Atty. Lorna Kapunan at the President’s Hall Receiving Area of the Malacañan Palace to yield herself to President Benigno S. Aquino III Wednesday night (August 28, 2013). The surrender feeler was sent by Atty. Kapunan to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda hours after President Aquino announced a P10-million reward to anyone who can give information for the immediate arrest of the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam. (Photo by: Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO).
Sam Prudente, one of those actively supporting the Iloilo Supports the #MillionPeopleMarch and now #IloiloPadayon against the pork barrel system, said Napoles’ surrender in Malacañang shows “how well oriented she is with the halls of power and the privileges that come with it.”
Prudente also questioned the President’s personal acceptance of her surrender and his escorting Napoles to Camp Crame.
“Does he really, really think that by accepting her melodramatic surrender, he gets himself a few stars with the Filipino people?” he noted.
Prudente then called for continued vigilance from Filipinos.
Environmentalist lawyer, Gloria Ramos of the Movement for a Liveable Cebu said she was disappointed in what seemed to be President Aquino’s special treatment to Napoles.
Ramos, supporter of the Cebu peaceful gathering against pork barrel, said President Aquino should have distanced himself from Napoles considering that the businesswoman’s network may involved some politicians who belonged to the President’s party.
Anna Balcells of Kalipay Negrense Foundation also noted that the surrender of Napoles came after the President declared a P10-million reward for her capture.
“I just had lunch with a big group and absolutely everyone said something is very fishy,” Balcells said.
Ann Ledesma, peace advocate based in Negros Occidental, questioned why Napoles decided to surrender to President Aquino.
“Why [Aquino]? Why does she have that much influence to surrender to the President? Something is fishy,” Ledesma pointed out.
Ed Alunan, businessman based in Bacolod City, said that the suggestion by Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II that Napoles might be a state witness was not acceptable.
Alunan called Napoles the “enemy of the state” who corrupted and ruined the political system of the country.
“A fugitive, who gets VIP treatment complete with presidential convoy escorting the plunderer who connived with the senators, congressmen, living lavishly on taxpayers’ money, must face justice,” Alunan said.
Lawyer Roy Perez, governor for Eastern Visayas of the Vanguards of the Philippine Constitution, Inc., said that the prosecution of Napoles and those who conspired with her would serve as a “litmus test” to the administration of President Aquino.
“It is where [Aquino’s] matuwid na daan will rise or fall,” Perez said.
Msgr. Achilles Dakay, spokesman of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said that he was happy that finally, Napoles surrendered.
Dakay said that the Church was looking forward to a fair and fast investigation, where Napoles would tell the truth involving the P10-billion pork barrel scam and name all the congressmen and senators involved.
Dakay added that the Church also hoped to know the truth about the alleged involvement of some of its leaders in the controversy.
Fr. Amadeo Alvero, spokesman of Palo archbishop John Du, said they were relieved that finally, Napoles had decided to surrender.
“It is our prayer that she be protected so that truth and justice will be brought out,” Alvero said.
Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina said that Napoles could now face all the allegations against her.
“We all hope that this is a reminder that no one is above the law and most of all to punish those who are guilty and bring back the good name of both the House of Representatives and the Senate and learn how the government can safeguard people’s money,” Espina said. Reports from Carine Asutilla, Carla Gomez, Nestor Burgos Jr. and Joey Gabieta
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