Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Whistleblower Benhur Luy on Thursday admitted he received a total of P3 million to P4 million kickbacks while working for his cousin Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind in the pork barrel scam.
“The total commission I received from 2004 to 2012 is P3 million to P4 million,” Luy said during the bail hearing of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
His bank accounts were frozen by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 22 following the filing of forfeiture case against him and several others by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
However, Luy said the money he received was less than what was agreed upon.
He said there were instances where Napoles would feign anger so she would not give them their commissions.
But he said he could not make any demands to Napoles because he was a mere employee.
“I am but a mere employee. I am grateful that she allowed me to stay at her condo and she assigned one of the vehicles of JLN Corporation to me,” he said. As an employee, he received P8,000 monthly salary.
This is the first time Luy admitted receiving kickbacks.
Principal whistleblower Benhur Luy. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Luy’s bank accounts that were covered by the asset preservation order (APO) are bank accounts of Benhur Luy at Bank of the Philippine Islands with US$15,008 and his peso accounts at the United Coconut Planters Bank and Metro Bank; Arthur Luy’s Banco De Oro account with P940,000 deposit and a Metrobank account of Gertrudes Luy.
Also covered by the APO are the 2007 Eastworld Max Motorcycle, 2010 Mitsubishi Montero Sport G and 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis, all owned by Benhur Luy and the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer of Arthur Luy.
In his appeal before the Manila court, he said he was able to save most of his earnings. On his dollar accounts, he said his friends pitched in for his trip to Germany in 2005 to attend the World Youth Day. But Napoles did not approve his request to travel. He said he tried to return the money but they said he could keep the money for the World Youth Day in Spain but still, Napoles did not allow him to go.
Benhur added that over the years, his dollar deposit increased because his co-employees traded dollar remittances with him.
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