De Lima calls Napoles list given to Lacson ‘worthless’
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima branded as “worthless piece of paper” the supposed affidavit of Janet Lim-Napoles given to former Senator Panfilo Lacson and released to the public by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
“That is worthless piece of paper. It is not admissible as evidence,” De Lima told reporters.
Lacson submitted the list and unsigned affidavit of Napoles, which was given to him by her husband, Jaime Napoles.
On the list are Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, Vicente Sotto III, Loren Legarda, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Allan Peter Cayetano, Gringo Honasan and Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Senator JV Ejercito is also on the list but he was on the list of congressmen. The former senators included on the list are Manny Villar and the late Robert Barbers.
On Napoles’ unsigned affidavit, she said she found out that no one from the 97 mayors was included on the charge sheet by the Department of Justice because Atty. Levito Baligod interviewed each involved and promised their exclusion in the cases provided that they will support De Lima’s bid to the Senate.
“You cannot hold Napoles accountable to that [affidavit]. If she denies that later, she can because that is not signed and not notarized,” De Lima said.
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