Yesterday, reports spread rapidly as Janet Lim Napoles, alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam, was acquitted of the crime of illegal detention of whistle blower Benhur Luy. But she can’t walk free just yet.
She is still facing plunder charges as she allegedly created a system for goverment funds to go to ghost projects for her personal benefit along with Senators Bong Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Jinggoy Estrada. Janet’s appeal for bail was denied separately by the court. She is to remain behind bars.
The Sandiganbayan, where the plunder cases are pending, maintains that the Court of Appeals’ decision doesn’t affect the cases against Napoles. Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang of Sandiganbayan told Inquirer, “I don’t think it has any bearing on the [Priority Development Assistance Fund] cases. The credibility of Napoles in that detention case does not affect her credibility or the credibility of the witnesses for that matter.”
The appeals court decision to acquit Janet was due to reasonable doubt. The prosecution failed to prove that the house where Benhur Luy was illegally detained was Janet’s. Benhur also didn’t make any attempt to escape according to the court. Benhur’s role is crucial in Janet’s case as he previously worked for her and said he was detained when he revealed that the entire scam was allegedly orchestrated by Janet.
Janet’s lawyer is hopeful that she would be made into a state witness. Atty. Stephen David said they would appeal for house arrest if Janet is to serve as a state witness and for government protection. He also expressed confidence that her acquittal will also reflect a favorable decision in her plunder charges.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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