We cannot close the door on Napoles – Palace
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III may have said in the past that it would be impossible for Janet Lim-Napoles to become state witness, but after her “tell-all” testimony to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, would he reconsider?
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda declined to comment on the possibility of Napoles turning state witness but insisted that the Justice department will thoroughly validate the alleged pork barrel scam mastermind’s testimony.
“Since she is willing to tell all…we cannot close the door. As part of the quest to search for the truth, all avenues must be explored,” Lacierda said in a press conference on Tuesday.
He pointed out that Napoles decided to speak with De Lima because of the alleged threats to her life. De Lima also made it clear that there is no assurance that Napoles will become state witness.
Lacierda said the Sandiganbayan, upon the recommendation of the Office of the Ombudsman, would decide if Napoles would be discharged as state witness.
Meantime, Napoles, who is facing plunder charges, will still be considered an accused or a suspect.
The spokesperson, however, admitted that Napoles’ testimony was a “significant development” in the case and that whatever she says may be “built upon by the testimony of others.”
Earlier this year, Aquino said Napoles is far from being considered a state witness since she has yet to volunteer any information and because she is a central figure in the scam that has resulted in the alleged misuse of the people’s funds.
However, Napoles on Monday had a five-hour meeting with De Lima where she is expected to have spilled the beans on the accused lawmakers. De Lima declined to divulge the details of their meeting, saying they will only release it after thorough evaluation and validation.
Lacierda said the De Lima duly informed the President of Napoles’ request for a meeting.
“The President just instructed her to listen to the testimony and evaluate. She briefed the President afterwards and it’s still the same instruction given to Secretary Leila de Lima: To evaluate the testimony given by—or whatever statements that Ms. Janet Napoles gave last night,” he said.
He emphasized the government’s caution in tackling Napoles’ testimony, especially the need to validate her statements.
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