The Makati judge who found alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles guilty of serious illegal detention was unaffected by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s claim that he met with government prosecutors in his chambers while the case was ongoing.
Although Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 150 did not personally issue a denial, his clerk of court, Diosfa Valencia, said on Tuesday that contrary to Estrada’s allegation, the judge never had coffee with Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors inside his chambers.
She also pointed out that Napoles’ finance officer turned whistleblower Benhur Luy was represented by Makati City prosecutors during the trial, not by the DOJ.
Valencia added that Alameda was not in the habit of inviting guests into his chambers.
Saying the judge was unaffected by the issue, she stated that there was no reason for Alameda to issue a statement or explain himself.
“If the issue was about him being bribed with millions of pesos, then that is the time he will react,” Valencia said.
On Monday, Estrada said he was told by a source whom he refused to name that while hearing Napoles’ case, Alameda and DOJ officials had coffee in his chambers.
The senator wondered what they discussed and noted that Alameda had no choice but to convict Napoles on the charge of serious illegal detention because his decision would have affected the plunder cases she was facing in the Sandiganbayan.
According to Estrada, a conviction was necessary to prove Luy’s credibility.
On April 14, Alameda found Napoles guilty of detaining Luy against his will from Dec. 19, 2012 to March 22, 2013. She was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or a jail term of up to 40 years.
The court also asked her to pay P50,000 in civil damages to Luy who “suffered anxiety and fright as a result of his detention” and another P50,000 for moral damages.
In August 2013, Luy accused Napoles and her brother Reynald “Jojo” Lim of illegally detaining him at the Bahay ni San Jose in Magallanes Village, Makati City, when they found out that he was having separate business transactions involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of some legislators.
Valencia, meanwhile, said that the serious illegal detention case was entirely different from the PDAF-related cases.
“We do not know why the senator seems to be siding with Napoles,” she added as she noted that the prosecution was able to establish Luy’s accusation against Napoles and Lim through his “credible and cohesive” testimony.
In his decision on the case, Alameda said that while Luy was in detention, Napoles had “ample opportunity” to order his release but she never did.
“Clearly, she willingly agreed to be part of the conspiracy with her brother Jojo. Her inaction can be construed as assent to their evil deeds,” he added.