Tagle to Napoles: Be honest and return the money

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA—Tell the truth and return what is not yours.

This is what Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has to say to Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged architect of the P10-billion pork barrel scam who had earlier expressed a desire to disclose everything she knew about the racket.

Tagle said Napoles’ turning state’s witness should be a non-issue if her intention really is to tell the truth.

“Whether state witness or not, [she should] tell the truth. Is it necessary to be a state witness for one to tell the truth?” Tagle told reporters in an interview.

But apart from disclosing everything she knew about the corruption scandal and confirming the involvement of some government officials, Tagle said Napoles should also return all the public fund she allegedly pocketed.

“Justice demands for that…. Let’s not make it any more complicated than it already is,” he said. “Tell the truth and return what is not yours. It’s that easy.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier disclosed that Napoles executed an affidavit, detailing everything she knew about the multi-million pork barrel scam and gave her a copy during a five hour meeting at the Ospital ng Makati that began at 10 p.m. last Monday and continued through 3 a.m. Tuesday.

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