Sandiganbayan throws out Napoles bid

Janet Lim-Napoles. BOY SANTOS/POOL

MANILA, Philippines–The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday threw out the petition of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles to subpoena the travel records, bank statements and other documents pertaining to the properties of primary whistleblower Benhur Luy and other witnesses.

In denying Napoles’ petition, the antigraft court’s Third Division pointed out that the criminal complaint filed against detained Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Napoles and their co-accused did not mention that the witnesses in the P10-billion pork barrel scam benefited from the transactions.

“After an assiduous examination of the parties’ argument, the court finds the requests for the issuance of subpoena devoid of merit,” the court said in a decision penned by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

Besides the records of Luy’s travels and properties, Napoles had asked the court to subpoena the travel and bank documents of Luy’s mother, Gertrudes Luy, his brother Arthur Luy and whistleblowers Marina Sula and Merlina Sunas.