Napoles’ WPP coverage to end on May 26

Janet Lim Napoles. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Principal suspect in the pork barrel scam Janet Lim-Napoles’ days in the Witness Protection Program (WPP) will end this month.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Napoles’ coverage will lapse on May 26.

Napoles was admitted to the WPP last Feb. 26, 2018 after she executed an affidavit giving additional details on the scam involving the spending of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

“After that, we will re-evaluate whether her admission in the WPP should be extended or terminated,” Guevarra told reporters.

“Napoles’ provisional admission to the WPP covers security protection for witness duty only. Her request for transfer has been repeatedly denied by the Sandiganbayan, which has jurisdiction and control over her person,” he added.

Napoles remains in detention at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

Under Republic Act 6981 (Witness Protection Act), before a person is admitted into the WPP, he or she shall execute a sworn statement describing in detail the manner in which the offense was committed and his or her participation therein.

If, after the examination of the said person, his or her sworn statement, and other relevant facts, the DOJ is satisfied that the requirements of the law and its implementing rules are met, then the applicant can be admitted into the WPP for full coverage with several financial benefits.

Napoles’ lawyer Stephen David earlier said that his client is open to becoming a state witness in the new PDAF cases being investigated by the DOJ which was already rejected by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. /je