Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras converse with Janet Lim-Napoles and counsel Lorna Kapunan at the President’s Hall Receiving Area of the Malacañan Palace as the fugitive businesswoman surrenders to President Benigno Aquino Wednesday night. MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU
MANILA, Philippines — Janet Lim-Napoles didn’t look like her lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, when she surfaced and surrendered to President Benigno Aquino III Wednesday night, a Palace official said in jest on Thursday.
“Ang masasabi ko, hindi siya kamuka ni Lorna Kapunan,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said when asked to comment on reports that Napoles underwent cosmetic surgery to evade arrest.
(All I can say is she is no lookalike of Lorna Kapunan.)
“Hindi po nagbago (Nothing had changed). I saw the picture of Inquirer today (Thursday), it’ still the same picture,” Lacierda said.
Napoles had been in hiding after an arrest warrant was issued against her for alleged illegal detention of whistleblower Benhur Luy.
She voluntarily surrendered to the President just hours after Aquino announced a P10 million bounty for her arrest.
Asked if the bounty would now be given to him since it was him who was approached by Napoles’ lawyer to arrange her surrender, Lacierda said; “Wala, wala. Sinisingil na ako ni Kim, sabi ko wala.”
The spokesman was referring to Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto- Henares.