Court orders Napoles househelp freed

Dominga Cadelina (right), the former househelp of controversial businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles with PAO lawyer Persida Acosta after she was ordered released from jail by the Makati City RTC Branch 145. Dominga was jailed in February 2013 for alleged qualified theft filed against her by Napoles. PHOTO BY RICHARD REYES

MANILA, Philippines—The former househelp of Janet Lim-Napoles is finally free after the Makati City Regional Trial Court dismissed with finality the qualified theft case filed against her by the principal accused in the “pork barrel” scam.

Public Attorney’s Office Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said complainants Jaime Napoles, Janet’s husband, and Reynald Lim, her brother, did not file an appeal on the October 2013’s court ruling dismissing the case against Dominga Cadelina.

“We have already released her from our custody now that the Makati court’s decision became final,” Acosta said.

Napoles’ husband and Reynald Lim accused Cadelina of stealing $13,400 worth of luxury bags, women’s underwear and clothes on January 29.

But Makati RTC Branch 145 Judge Carlito Calpatura, in his ruling, said the prosecution failed to prove “the element of taking and the element of lack of consent by the owner of the things stolen.”

The court added that accuser’s story was “simply too naïve to be given full faith under the mantle of proof beyond reasonable doubt” and was “contrary to human experience.”

Cadelina worked as househelp for the Napoles family for 10 years.