Napoles lawyer: Prosecution is delaying plunder trial
The lawyer for accused pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles accused the prosecution of delaying the pork barrel scam plunder trial in their mix-up of the marked documents.
In an interview after Napoles’ plunder trial, Atty. Stephen David said the prosecution seemed to be manufacturing additional evidence when its witness Marina Sula testified about forging alleged list of beneficiaries under Napoles’ instructions.
David said Sula, Napoles’ property custodian for the alleged scam, failed to mention this testimony during Napoles’ bail hearing from plunder.
“Kasi ang katotohanan niya, habang tumatagal ang hearing, nagmamanufacture sila ng additional documents. Saan ka nakakakita ng exhibit D, same document gagawin mong exhibit L? Unless nagkaroon ka ng after thought na mga additional documents na naisip mo, ito, bago ito,” David said.
During the plunder trial, Sula testified about 30 names of beneficiaries whose signatures she allegedly forged upon the orders of Napoles.
David said Sula did not mention these names in the bail hearing of Napoles. The court denied Napoles’ bail petition.
The lawyer found it incredulous that Sula seemed to remember all the 30 names she allegedly forged, and that Napoles ordered all these signatures to be falsified.
He said it was Sula’s relatives who served as incorporators of the bogus foundations linked to Napoles that implemented the ghost projects of lawmakers in exchange for kickbacks.
“Wala pang evidence na na-present other than the bare allegation na utos daw ito ni Mrs. Napoles. How credible is that statement? Lahat utos daw ni Mrs. Napoles,” David said.
He claimed the prosecution’s “fishing expedition” in presenting evidence as the court proceedings go only diminishes the witnesses’ and the prosecution’s credibility.
“Humihina ang credibility nila, lalo na nagiging fishing expedition, parang yung mga dokumento, as it comes to you. Dumadating lang ebidensiya kung kelan mo lang nakikita. Hindi ka prepared since day one,” David said.
He blamed the prosecution for delaying the case in their mixing up of the marked exhibits.
“You are now violating our right to a speedy trial. Ang tagal ang marking, more than one year, ganyan pala resulta, mali-mali, bali-baligtad (ang marking),” David said.
Thursday’s plunder trial was suspended because of a mix-up in the marking of disbursement vouchers which served as evidence.
Associate Justice Samuel Martires scolded the prosecution for mixing up in the marking of exhibits.
Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje Tang, division chair, scolded the prosecution for failing to inform the court of a correction on its marked exhibits.
She suspended the proceedings and gave the prosecution until Tuesday to correct their marking.
“We will not allow any further delay on the hearings all because there’s been a mix-up on the marking of exhibits,” Tang said.
Napoles is undergoing a plunder trial with Atty. Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes in the plunder case of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is out on bail.
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