Luy’s ma takes stand in bail hearing for Napoles

Principal whistle-blower Benhur Luy. RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines—The mother of whistle-blower Benhur Luy took the witness stand at Monday’s hearing on the petition for bail of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in connection with the serious illegal detention charges filed against her and her fugitive brother, Reynald Lim.

Gertrudes Luy was the seventh witness presented by the prosecution before Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 to show that Napoles should remain detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and her petition for bail should be denied.

Gertrudes told the court that she and her family had been warned by Reynald, Napoles’ coaccused in the complaint, to keep Benhur’s detention to themselves and not seek the government’s help.

“Hawak namin ang gobyerno (We control the government),” Gertrudes said, quoting Reynald during a Jan. 9 meeting with her and Benhur.

During cross examination, the defense lawyers led by Alfredo Villamor, however, pointed to some inconsistencies in Gertrudes’ statements and  in the affidavit she had executed.

Gertrudes had told the court that during their first meeting since Benhur’s detention at Heritage Park in the mausoleum of the Napoles family on Dec. 24, Benhur looked worried and told her that he had not done anything wrong.

Villamor pointed out that Gertrudes said in her affidavit that Benhur told her “not to worry” and Reynald at that time was within hearing distance.

The lawyer also asked Gertrudes to tell the court about the time she talked to Napoles before meeting with Benhur.

“But you never talked to Janet over the phone when meeting Benhur,” Villamor said.

“I know it was Janet who was telling Reynald to set the meeting,” Gertrudes replied.