Image of Napoles’ letter to the Senate
MANILA, Philippines—Detained Janet Lim-Napoles has asked the Senate to postpone her scheduled appearance on Thursday in the chamber’s investigation into the P10 billion “pork barrel” scam, saying she has no lawyer who would accompany her.
Napoles made the request in a letter dated November 5 addressed to Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senator Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, which is investigating the allegation the businesswoman funneled taxpayers’ money to fake nongovernment organizations.
“As you well all know, my lawyer Atty. Lorna Kapunan just recently resigned and I allowed her (to quit),” she said in Filipino.
“As a result of this, I have no lawyer to accompany me and protect may rights in the hearing in the Senate scheduled on the 7th of November 2013,” she said.
“As an accused, it’s within my rights to have a lawyer who will defend and protect my rights,” Napoles said.
At present, Napoles said she was doing everything to immediately get the legal services that would protect her rights when she testifies in the Senate.
“I have no intention to defy the Senate’s order to appear despite my personal view that my presence will do no good in the said hearing,” she said.
“Nevertheless, I respectfully beg for your understanding to postpone the hearing on Thursday because of the reason I mentioned that I have no lawyer who can assure that my rights would be protected,” she said.
Aside from Napoles, the whistle-blowers in the scam led by Benhur Luy were also invited to appear in the hearing.
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