Ombudsman, Sandigan ordered to answer Napoles petitions to junk plunder case

Janet Lim Napoles. POOL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Sandiganbayan and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to answer separate petitions filed by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and her other co-accused in the pork barrel scam.

High Court spokesman Theodore Te said Morales, together with the Sandiganbayan First, Third and Fifth Divisions were given 10 days to answer the petitions filed by Napoles, nephew Ronald John Lim and daughter Jo Christine.

The high court, according to Te, consolidated the two petitions filed by Napoles against the anti-graft court’s first and fifth division while the third division will be dealt with separately.

The three petitions asked the court to dismiss her plunder indictment by the Ombudsman and asked that the warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan First, Third and Fifth Divisions against her be recalled, citing that she could not be validly charged as she was not a public officer.

Lim is facing cases for plunder and graft while Jo Christine is facing a case for graft and corruption.

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