Janet Lim-Napoles. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Amid heavy rains, the alleged mastermind in the P10 billion “pork barrel” scam arrived Monday at the Makati regional trial court for her arraignment.
Janet Lim-Napoles is expected to enter a plea against serious illegal detention charges filed against her by Benhur K. Luy, cousin and scam whistleblower.
Clad in a bulletproof vest and black kevlar helmet with a white towel wrapped in her cuffed hands, Napoles came from Fort. Santo Domingo in Santa Rosa, Laguna where she has been detained for 22 days following her arrest.
The 49-year-old businesswoman was accompanied by her lawyer Lorna Kapunan.
Prior to her arrival, Napoles filed an urgent motion to move the arraignment to Laguna, citing “security reasons.”
Napoles’ brother, Reynald “Jojo” Lim, is also facing an illegal detention charge against Luy but remains at large.
Napoles and Lim allegedly conspired to kidnap Luy, an employee in Napoles’ company JLN. He was rescued by authorities.