Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines – Has the government struck a deal with Janet Lim-Napoles?
This question was raised on Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who belongs with the majority bloc in the Senate, after Napoles implicated him into the “pork barrel” scam.
Mr. Cayetano said there was an “admission of guilt” on the part of Napoles when she signed an affidavit detailing her alleged transactions with certain lawmakers and that “affidavit alone will be enough to convict her of plunder.”
“So why will you sign an affidavit admitting guilt kung wala pang deal o walang guarantee sa iyo na may deal? Hindi ko masasagot ‘yun, pero sa akin, very obvious ‘yun,” said Mr. Cayetano.
(So why will you sign an affidavit admitting guilt if you have no deal yet or there is no guarantee that there’s a deal? I can’t answer that but for me, it’s very obvious)
In her affidavit, submitted to the Senate blue ribbon committee, Napoles claimed that she gave campaign funds to Mr. Cayetano. She said she personally handed the money to the senator at the Slice restaurant in Taguig City, which happens to be owned by the senator’s sister, incumbent Senator Pia Cayetano.
Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net
But the Majority Leader said Napoles’ affidavit was full of lies and “tailor-fitted” for her defense and her request to be granted immunity.
“I think this is an attempt for two things: Number one, gumulo at i-confuse (to muddle and confuse); two, a greater objective, which is ma-abswelto or mabigyan siya ng immunity (to absolve her or be given immunity),” he said.
“Usually, hindi nilalagay sa affidavit mo na humihingi ka ng immunity. In fact, hindi ka magte-tell-all hangga’t i-grant ka ng immunity kasi mawawalan ka nang bargaining power,” he pointed out.
(Usually, you don’t put it in the affidavit that you are requesting immunity. In fact, you won’t tell all until your request for immunity has been granted because you will lose a bargaining power.)
Mr. Cayetano said a person, who is applying for immunity, would not sign an affidavit until her request has been granted.
“So bakit kay Ms. Napoles, pinirmahan niya na ito tapos nakalagay dun ‘yung mga anak ko…,?’
(So why would Ms. Napoles sign it and mention her children…?)
“May deal na ba siya sa gobyerno? Or ito ba ang sinabi sa kanya ng gobyerno na pwede lang kitang bigyan ng deal kung tatanggapin ng publiko kaya i-float muna natin?”
(Has she struck a deal with the government? Or has the government told her that it will only grant her a deal if the public accepts her affidavit so let’s just float it first.)
Mr. Cayetano reiterated that he had no any dealings with Napoles, saying it would be “illogical” and “unreasonable” to say that he received money from her when he has been at the forefront against graft and corruption for 15 years.
“At tinatanggihan ko ‘yung magbibigay ng pera na hindi ko kilala or hindi solid ‘yung reputation so it’s (accusation) absolutely false,” he said.
(I would always reject the offer of donors whom I do not know or who do not have solid reputation, so it’s absolutely false.)
“That’s why tinutuloy ko ‘yung hamon sa kanya na kahit kailan, kahit saan na magharap tayo malaman ng tao kung sino nagsasabi ng totoo,” he added.
(That’s why I am maintaining my challenge to her to face me anytime, anywhere, and the people will know who is telling the truth.)
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