Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Why some lawmakers may want Napoles killed


MANILA - Some lawmakers involved in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam may want fugitive businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles killed to silence her, a lawyer said Monday.

Levito Baligod, lawyer of scam whistleblower Benhur Luy, told dzMM that Napoles has documents showing her cash transactions with lawmakers involved in the anomaly that has rocked the nation.

Baligod said it would be better for Napoles to surrender to the National Bueau of Investigation (NBI) for her own safety.

"Mas makakabuti sana kay Ginang Napoles na sumuko na lamang dahil iyung pagtatago niya ay nagdadagdag ng panganib sa buhay niya," he said. "Dahil meron ho kasing libro na hawak si Ginang Napoles na kung saan, nandoon iyung mga transaksiyon o mga napagkasunduan niya na sistema o sharing scheme with legislators."

Baligod said lawmakers involved in the scam do not want their names to come out in public.

"Hindi ako magtataka na iyung mga pulitiko na ito, ay ang magtatangkang hanapin si Ginang Napoles at kung maari huwag na siyang lumantad o kaya medyo mabibigay ng panganib sa buhay niya," he added.

Baligod said Napoles is in danger more than Luy or other whistleblowers.

"Mayroon pong hawak si Ginang Napoles, halimbawa, iyung cash vouchers po. Nandoon iyung mga pirma ng mga legislators. Meron din pirma iyung mga chiefs of staff o representatives ng mga legislators na tumanggap ng pera mula kay Ginang Napoles," he said.

He said the documents, if made public, will be strong evidence to show conspiracy between the businesswoman and some legislators whom he declined to name.

Napoles and her brother brother Reynald "Jojo" Lim went into hiding after a warrant of arrest was issued against them August 15 in connection with Luy's kidnapping and illegal detention.

Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda did not recommend bail for the charge of serious illegal detention.

The Court of Appeals, meanwhile, has slapped a freeze order on 514 bank accounts, insurance policies, and credit card accounts owned by Napoles and her associates.

Baligod believes that Napoles and her brother are still somewhere in Metro Manila.

"Meron kasi kaming pinagkukuhanan ng impormasyon. Ayon sa kaniya ay nasa isang building sila. Nakatago sila sa isang building. Iyung mga sasakyan nila, naka-park sa basement ng building na walang ibang may access. Sinasabi din po namin sa otoridad iyung natatanggap naming impormasyon," he added.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima last week said Napoles is still in the country.

The NBI has looked at a reported credit card transaction made by Napoles from a hotel in Pasig, and has sent agents to Mindanao where she allegedly has properties.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com