Ombudsman now has Napoles’ affidavit, will decide on businesswoman’s request for immunity

By: Maila Ager - 10 years ago

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. CATHY MIRANDA/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice has formally transmitted to the Office of the Ombudsman the affidavits of alleged “pork barrel” scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and the letters of her lawyers, expressing her desire to be considered a state witness.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she transmitted the documents to the Ombudsman Tuesday.

“May I also take this opportunity to announce that yesterday, I formally transmitted to the Ombudsman (Conchita Carpio-Morales) her own copies of the two affidavits of Mrs Napoles with the accompanying letters of the counsels for immunity,” de Lima told reporters before she faced her confirmation hearing at the Senate on Wednesday.

“Kasi nga decision ‘yan ng Ombudsman. While kami po we are continuing with the vetting and validation process because this is just part and parcel of our fact-finding and truth-seeking.”

“Pero ‘yung issue on the immunity, we will be deferring to the sound judgment and discretion of the Ombudsman so sinubmit ko po sa kanya kahapon officially ‘yung mga affidavits ni Mrs. Napoles saka yung mga letters ng kanyang mga abugado, expressing her desire to be considered as state witness,” de Lima said.

She said she also reiterated to the Ombudsman that “we will defer to her judgment on that matter.”