De Lima shuts door on Napoles as state witness
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has closed the door for Janet Lim-Napoles (in photo), alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, becoming a state witness. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has closed the door for Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, becoming a state witness.
“I never considered her as a state witness because in the first place she never admitted her participation in the crimes, a requirement to become a state witness,” De Lima told reporters in the sidelines of the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday.
De Lima said although Napoles knew everything about the racket, her testifying for the government against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. was unlikely.
“She does not appear to be the least most guilty,” she said. “She has to admit first her involvement, she denies everything, like the last time when she appeared here in the Senate, definitely she will never qualify.”
De Lima also said that she was considering asking the Makati Regional Trial Court to have Napoles transferred from the tightly guarded Philippine National Police antiterrorist training school in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna province, to a regular jail.
Article continues after this advertisementThe 50-year-old Napoles is under detention for allegedly holding captive her employee, Benhur Luy, for three months after the latter threatened to reveal her activities to authorities.
Article continues after this advertisementDe Lima said the consideration being taken for Napoles’ transfer to a regular jail was her security. “But of course we need to study closely the ramifications, especially with respect to her security.”
Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, the PNP spokesman, said Thursday the health condition of Napoles was “normal.”
It was unclear if Napoles was aware of the appearance of Ruby Tuason, the latest witness to testify against her, in the Senate hearing.
Napoles disappeared for two weeks after a warrant for her arrest was issued in the Luy case. She surrendered to President Aquino, fearing for her life. The President personally escorted her to the PNP headquarters to be detained.
Luy, who appeared in yesterday’s Senate hearing wearing a bulletproof vest, said he was happy about the turn of events.—With a report from Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon
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