Aquino orders De Lima to revive fertilizer scam case
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino has ordered Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to reevaluate the P728-million fertilizer scam case on news that alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles was also a central player in the scandal that erupted during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
In a statement issued through the President’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda, De Lima said: “I have been instructed by the President to review the case with the end in view of re-filing the case, if it is still feasible and warranted.”
Lawyer Raji Mendoza, counsel of pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy, said that his client would be ready to provide new information on Napoles’ involvement in the fertilizer scam especially after the Commission on Audit has already completed its audit on the farm input controversy, which involved 140 members of the House of Representatives.
“The fertilizer scam is a precursor [of] the pork barrel scam. He [Luy] said JLN [Napoles’ initials] was involved. He will give his affidavit to the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] soon,” Mendoza said in a briefing with editors of Manila Times. De Lima said she has not verified Mendoza’s claim.
RELATED STORIES
