Ombudswoman: Give Napoles benefit of the doubt

MANILA, Philippines—Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales declined to make a judgment on the surrender of Janet Lim-Napoles, saying she was giving the alleged mastermind of a P10-billion pork barrel scam the benefit of the doubt.

In a forum Friday to kick off the Ombudsman’s 25th anniversary, Morales was asked for her opinion on President Benigno Aquino’s assisting Napoles’ surrender.

“Let’s give Janet Napoles the benefit of the doubt that she only trusted the President because maybe she feared she will be exterminated by those she might hurt along the way and probably she knows the President will see to it that everything will be fair,” Morales told the audience.

“Whether it’s a sound decision, it’s not for me to determine whether the wisdom is appropriate,” she added.