Sandigan gets SC nod to bring Napoles to court hearings

THE Supreme Court has granted the request of Sandiganbayan to bring Janet Lim-Napoles to court hearings on the pork barrel scam.

The Sandiganbayan, through Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, on May 6, requested permission from the high court to bring Napoles to court during hearings instead of the court going to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW).

Last April, the high court allowed Napoles to attend hearings on cases pending before the anti-graft court’s third division.

In its recent order issued by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the high court said it covers not only the third division but also the anti-graft court’s other divisions specifically first and fifth division where Napoles has other pending cases.

“Now, Therefore, authority is hereby Granted to the Sandiganbayan and all its Divisions to issue subpoenas or summons effecting the transfer of accused Janet Lim Napoles from the Correctional Institute of Women in Mandaluyong City to the Sandiganbayan or any of its Divisions whenever her appearance is required in connection with the PDAF cases,” the high court said.

Napoles was brought to CIW after she was convicted by the Makati Court of serious illegal detention. She was sentenced of up to 40 years imprisonment.

The anti-graft court has cited impracticality and reasons of security, and Tang pleaded before the high court  for permission to allow Napoles to be brought to the Sandiganbayan during hearings where her presence is required. AC