De Lima tells Senate to handle Napoles list with care

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 10 years ago

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima advised the Senate to exercise prudence and circumspection and utmost responsibility in handling the information about the names of those included in the list of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

“I would advise them to exercise prudence, circumspection and utmost responsibility in handling the matter, in handling the list and the affidavit,” De Lima told reporters Tuesday.

De Lima was subpoenaed by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday to submit to them the list that Napoles gave her.

She said she will comply but she might ask the Senate for an extension because they are still waiting for Napoles’ complete affidavit.

“I am waiting for that [complete affidavit]. Hopefully, it will be submitted to us before the [Senate’s] Thursday deadline, if not, I will probably ask for an extension,” De Lima said.

Meanwhile, the group #abolishpork sent a letter to De Lima urging her to release the Napoles list.

“It is time for the Honorable Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to heed the public clamor to release the Napoles list,” the letter stated.

“The affidavit of Mrs. Napoles is already a public document and should therefore be released to the public without precondition,” the letter further stated. The letter was signed by Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB of the #abolishpork movement; Prof. Judy Taguiwalo of Pagbabago; Fr. Marlon Lacal of the Association of Major Religious Superiors (AMRSP), Fr. Ben Alforque of the Church People’s Alliance v. Pork Barrel; Carol P. Araullo of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan; Henri Kahn of the Concerned Citizens Movement, Menchu Sarmiento of the Babae Laban sa Korupsyon (BABALA), Martin Dino of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.

But De Lima maintained that she would only disclose the contents of the list in the proper forum.

She said if the Senate will set a hearing, it will be the proper forum for her disclosure.

“I was only given a list and I am waiting for the completed statement. So, the best person to ask is Mrs. Napoles herself. So, ayaw ko muna po. Ayaw ko muna pagfifiestahan [ang list],” De Lima said.