NAPOLES IN THE SENATE Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind in the P10 billion pork barrel scam, faces the Senate for the first time Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, to answer the allegations against her. Napoles met with her lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) briefly to discuss the case. MATIKAS SANTOS/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – A key witness in the ongoing investigation of the P10 billion pork barrel scam called the alleged mastermind a “liar” after she denied any dealings with senators and congressmen and even expressed sympathy that the lawmakers were being dragged into the controversy.
“Sir, nagsisiungaling po sya. Totoo po yun [Sir, she’s lying. That’s true],” Benhur Luy said after Janet Lim-Napoles denied any link to the 21 bogus non-government organizations that she was supposed to have formed.
“Hindi po [No],” Napoles said when asked by Senator Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee investigating the scam, if it was true that she had any transactions with the lawmakers.
“Nakakaawa nga po yung mga senador at mga congressmen na nada-drag ang pangalan nila [The senators and congressmen are to be pitied because their names are being dragged]…” she added.
Napoles also denied any involvement in the 21 foundations that she had allegedly formed using as conduits of the “pork barrel” funds from certain lawmakers.
Napoles later admitted that she had formed only one group called “Magdalena Luy-Lim Foundation.”
When Napoles repeatedly denied other allegations against her, Guingona then asked what was the truth then.
“Hindi ko po alam sa kanila,” Napoles said.
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