Napoles to return pork money? Let Ombudsman decide, says Palace
Janet Lim-Napoles. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday said it is leaving up to the Office of the Ombudsman to deal with reports saying alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles is willing to return the money she gained from the illegal scheme.
“It is only the Office of the Ombudsman that is clothed with the authority to recommend to the Sandiganbayan any action on matters, like what you have just mentioned,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told Palace reporters.
In a television interview, Napoles’ lawyer Stephen David said his client was willing to return the P2 billion she allegedly earned from the misuse of public funds.
Coloma insisted that the Office of the President respects the independence of the Ombudsman and will remain hands off on the matter.
In her affidavit filed a week ago, Napoles claimed that it was Ruby Tuason who orchestrated the pork barrel scam.
Ruby Tuason, after admitting to being the middleman of Napoles to senators, turned over a P40 million check to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales in her bid to become a state witness.
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