De Lima: I don’t expect Napoles to tell the truth

DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Wednesday said she does not expect Janet Lim-Napoles to tell the truth about the pork barrel scam when she testifies at the Senate Thursday.

“Unless there is an offer of immunity, because if there is no offer of immunity that means she is opening herself to self-incrimination,” De Lima told reporters Wednesday.

“The moment a witness invokes right against self-incrimination, then you cannot compel her to answer the question,” she said.

Napoles will appear on Thursday before the Senate blue ribbon committee to answer questions on the allegation she funnelled about P10 billion in taxpayers money to bogus nongovernment organizations.

Aside from Napoles, also present on Thursday’s hearing are whistleblowers Benhur Luy, Gertrudes Luy, Marina Sula, Arlene Baltazar, Nova Dulay Macalintal and Monette Briones.