Key witness in ‘pork’ scam arrives at Napoles bail hearing

Principal whistle-blower Benhur Luy. RICHARD A. REYES/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — The principal witness in the multi-billion pork barrel scam arrived at the Makati regional trial court Friday to testify in the serious illegal detention case he filed against his cousin and alleged mastermind.

As the final witness, Benhur Luy will take the stand in the bail petition hearing of Janet Lim-Napoles at Branch 150 to be presided by Judge Elmo Alameda.

Luy filed serious illegal detention charges against Napoles, the center of the P10 billion pork barrel scam, and her fugitive brother Reynald “Jojo” Lim after they allegedly kidnapped him.

Gertrudes Luy is the seventh witness presented by the prosecution against Napoles who, it said, should remain detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and her petition for bail denied.
The Makati court will decide if it will allow Napoles to post bail.

Aside from Napoles, 36 others are also facing plunder charges for their involvement in the scam.
Luy appeared last September before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that is investigating the alleged misuse by legislators of their pork barrel or the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

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