Napoles is seeking immunity, says De Lima

Janet Lim-Napoles FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles asked the government that she be given immunity from suit, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday.

“Yes, she has manifested her intention to apply for immunity,” De Lima told reporters.

But De Lima said Napoles’ request is only secondary because the priority of the Justice Department is the verification of the names mentioned by Napoles.

“After the vetting process, we will determine if she is qualified or not. If she is telling the truth and if she can support what she has said with an independent evidence,” De Lima said.

“Immunity is secondary because our focus, first things first, is the vetting of the veracity, the truthfulness, the plausibility, the credibility of the story of Ms Napoles and the credibility of Ms Napoles herself,” she added.

De Lima said the DOJ’s role is  recommendatory only since it is the Ombudsman who is authorized by law to grant immunity.

Once given immunity by the Ombudsman, Napoles will no longer be charged with any complaint related to the pork barrel controversy.

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