Jeane Napoles refuses to enter plea in tax evasion case

MANILA - Jeane Catherine Napoles, daughter of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, refused to enter a plea during her arraignment for a P17.4 million tax evasion case at the Court of Tax Appeals.

The refusal of Napoles to enter a plea prompted CTA 3rd Division Associate Justice Esperanza Fabon-Victorino to enter a ''not guilty'' plea on her behalf.

The younger Napoles was earlier charged with tax evasion after she failed to file income tax returns in 2011 and 2012.

The younger Napoles supposedly bought a condominium unit at the Ritz Carlton in Los Angeles, California for $1,280,000 (P54.73 million) in July 2011.

Her tax liability has ballooned to about P32 million due to non-payment and interest.

Napoles' lawyers agreed to the arraignment without prejudice to their pending motion for reconsideration.

In an interview after the arraignment, Napoles lawyer Stephen David reiterated their point that Napoles is unemployed and is therefore not required to pay income tax.

Napoles is also facing another tax case, which is for the non-filing of income tax returns (ITR). She also refused to enter a plea in that case. The two tax cases are now consolidated at the 3rd Division.

At the height of the pork barrel scam, the younger Napoles was criticized after she was seen flaunting her lavish lifestyle via social media amid allegations that her mother stole public funds by forging illegal deals with lawmakers.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Sharon to play Napoles in comeback film?

MANILA - Megastar Sharon Cuneta denied Saturday that her comeback film will be based around the life of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

In a Facebook post, Cuneta dismissed rumors suggesting that she will portray the Napoles in an upcoming biopic. She also denied that her daughter, KC Concepcion, will be playing the role of Jeane Napoles.

"Why is there a rumor going around that my comeback movie will be based on the Janet Lim Napoles story, and with KC playing the role of her daughter?" she wrote.

Napoles is currently detained for allegedly diverting millions in pork barrel funds to bogus non-government organizations.

"No one has spoken to me about this, and so it is totally untrue," Cuneta added. "I already have a comeback project waiting, and with a company that has my full trust and respect."

The veteran actress earlier made headlines after she announced her departure from TV5.

"I am going to drop clues every now and then as to the things I will be working on which will start sooner than you think!" she said at the time.

In 2012, Sharon signed a reported record-breaking P1-billion contract with the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned network.

She hosted her own talk show entitled "Kasama Mo, Kapatid," and became a co-host of a musical variety show "The Mega and the Songwriter" alongside Ogie Alcasid.

She also starred in the comedy series "Madam Chairman," which premiered on 2013. It was her first TV series in 35 years. The show was cancelled by the network.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Guingona releases signed Napoles list

De Lima given more time to submit Napoles affidavit

Signed Napoles list

 

Lacson's Napoles list

 

MANILA - Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto 'TG' Guingona III made public on Thursday the signed Janet Napoles list of alleged pork barrel scam players after it was submitted by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

De Lima had asked for one more week, or until May 22, within which to submit both the list and Napoles' affidavits.

Guingona allowed the extension for the affidavits, but not the list.

“I did not allow the extension [for the list]. It’s time we put an end to the speculation," he said. He noted there are so many lists going around that have spawned a lot of speculations.

The Napoles list is the same as that submitted by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

However, there are other names, handwritten by Napoles, that have been added to the list.

In her letter to Guingona, De Lima said the Napoles camp has yet to finish an extensive affidavit that would support the list that merely contains the names of those allegedly involved in the corruption scheme.

“[I] respectfully recommend that the committee, instead of disclosing the list and the still unverified allegations to the public, could perhaps consider either awaiting the completion of the vetting process or fact-finding investigation by the DOJ/NBI… or refer the documents to the Ombudsman or the Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council,” De Lima pleaded.

Guingona told ANC that while the affidavits are paramount in giving credence to the list, “I believe the signed list should already come out, because it will come out anyway. There’s no reason to delay anymore."

He also noted the list should be corroborated and cross-referenced with the testimonies of the pork barrel scam whistleblowers.

“Cross-referencing and corroborating are important aspects of finding the truth, but what’s also important is we have a transparent process."

As a necessary consequence, Napoles will have to be called back to the Senate and thresh out her story.

“The next rational step is to ask the author to come forward," he said.

Napoles is still at the Ospital ng Makati even though authorities have already given her the green light to leave. She has yet to pay her bills.

Meanwhile, Guingona said he can’t say if the other lists can now be discarded in favor of the signed one.

“Let me hold judgment on that. Based on face value, this [signed list] should be given weight.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Group eyes SC help to open Napoles list

MANILA – A whistleblowers group on Friday said it will ask the Supreme Court (SC) to order Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to finally release the copy of Janet Lim Napoles' list of people supposedly involved in the pork barrel scam.

Whistleblowers Association of the Philippines President Sandra Cam said her group will file a petition for mandamus before the SC next week to order de Lima to make the list public.

The supposed list is contained in the sworn statement that Napoles earlier submitted to de Lima following her decision to ''tell all'' that she knows about the scam.

"Ako ay nagcha-challenge sa kanya ng face off para makita kung sino sa amin ang nagsisinungaling pagdating diyan sa mga dokumento na dapat niyang ilutang sa publiko dahil binabayaran siya ni Juan dela Cruz,'' Cam told dzMM.

"Sobra na itong ginagawa ng secretary of Justice... Lalabas kami kahit sa tingin niya ay maliliit na tao lang kami... Lalaban kami sa posisyon na ito dahil nakakaawa na ang taumbayan."

In an earlier newspaper report, Cam claimed to have been given a copy of the list, in which several names of lawmakers who were previously not implicated in the scam appeared.

Cam said she would like to check if the list in de Lima's hands has been sanitized of Aquino allies.

De Lima belittled Cam's claim, saying the latter had no authority and standing on the issue.

The justice chief had said she will ask Napoles' camp if, indeed, it gave out lists to other people, saying she is not aware of it.

She added she would not to bow down to pressure stemming from reports about Napoles' list being released by various quarters.

She believes this is part of the reason why "lists" are coming out, precisely to pressure her into releasing the names Napoles gave her.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Palace denies hand in Cunanan's testimony

MANILA -- Malacañang denied that it is behind the testimony of former Technology Resource Center (TRC) chief Dennis Cunanan against alleged perpetrators of the pork barrel scam.

Palace also denied singling out certain personalities in the anomaly.

"Walang batayan yung alegasyon na...nakikialam ang Pangulo o ang Malacañang dahil ang batayang prinsipyo naman ay yung pagbatay ng pagkilos sa kongkretong ebidensya," Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said.

"Ang pahayag ng Pangulo ay hinggil sa kahalagahan na matuklasan ang buong katotohanan. Kung boluntaryo at walang pamimilit yung paglalahad ng testimonya na makakatulong sa pagtuklas ng katotohanan, di ba't ito ang hinahangad nating landas tungo sa katarungan?" he added.

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., one of the three senators facing plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam, had said that he sees Malacañang's hand in the decision of Cunanan to offer himself as state witness.

Cunanan is also one of the accused in the pork barrel scam case.

The other senators facing plunder charges are Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada.

"This is so unfair, and we can see the hands of Malacañang and Boy Pick-up behind this," Revilla had said, referring to Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday announced that Cunanan has been accepted provisionally in the Witness Protection Program.

She said Cunanan flatly denied claims by senators implicated in the case that they had no hand in the scam and that their signatures in documents for the release of their pork funds were forged.

Cunanan also revealed that senators even personally handpicked and endorsed Napoles-linked NGOs as project implementors, she said. -- With report from The Philippine Star

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vice Ganda twits Napoles

MANILA - Ace comedian Vice Ganda mocked businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind of a P10-billion pork barrel scam, after the latter's appearance at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the scam.

In his official Twitter account, Ganda made one-liner jokes against Napoles for not telling the truth.

Ganda on Thursday joined several celebrities who openly lambasted Napoles, while praising Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and other lawmakers for trying to get the truth from the businesswoman.

Below are the tweets of Ganda against Napoles.

"Hey StarCinema totoo bang pumirma na si Napoles sa inyo ng kontrata para iremake ang My Amnesia Girl? Hala nanakawan pa si ToniG ng role!"

"Napoles Wedding- Priest: Janet do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"Elevator Girl: hi Sir/Ma'am anung floor po tayo? Napoles: Di ko po alam!"

"Simsimi: Maganda ka ba? Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"Bimbi: Whats siksik Napoles? Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"AngelLocsin: What's the #2 anti dandruff shampoo in the world? Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"Korina: Handa na ba kayo? Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"Baha Men: Who let the dogs out? Janet: di ko po alam!"

"ViceGanda: Saan gawa ang tocino mo? Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"Napoles during communion- Priest: Body of Christ. Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"Ylvis: What does the fox say? Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"Billy: Wazzzzup Madlang People? Janet: Di ko po alam?"

"LuisManzano: Is it a deal or no deal? Janet: Di ko po alam!"

"Senate: Last question! Naka ilang "Di ko po alam!" ka na? Janet: Di ko po alam!

"Globe has released their DiKoPoAlam Unli Promo today. Janet was the first to avail. Now promo is no longer available."

"ViceGanda: I want Napoles on GGV! Ma'amCharo: No! Mas bagay sya sa Maalaala Mo Kaya!"

"Hoy Janet tutal wala ka naman palang maalala wag na wag kong makikitang nagpopost ka ng entry ng #ThrowBackThursday sa instagram ha!"

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LA Pinoys monitor Napoles Senate hearing

CALIFORNIA - While the Filipino community was holding a despedida for Los Angeles Deputy Consul General Dan Espiritu, many eyes were glued on to the television watching a bulletproof vest clad Janet Lim Napoles appear for her Senate hearing.

"She's guilty, guilty as hell," said Perla Avestro.

Los Angeles Filipinos have had a high interest in this case with the Napoles clan owning several properties and bank accounts in Southern California.

"She's very pitiful but she deserves it because she's facing the whistleblowers who are saying she's lying and her only defense is they are lying," said Arturo Garcia of the US Action Against Pork.

It started with a delay after she met with her public defendants. Napoles denied setting up the bogus nongovernment organizations where the lawmakers Priority Development Assistance Fund were funneled into. The whistleblowers meanwhile denied her denials.

"It's not punitive. It's just investigative. So it's basically a way to grandstand. So everyone is grandstanding except those who are accused. That's why those people who are excused like Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada do not present themselves. They just use their proxies," said Garcia.

As lawmakers took turns grilling the alleged pork barrel mastermind, one lawmaker linked to the scandal was not part of the hearing: Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who was in Northern California seeking medical treatment for his wife.

Filipinos had a mixed reaction on Estrada's absence.

"He said I want to have a face-to-face with her. But now, where is he?" Garcia asked.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Napoles denies setting up fake NGOs

‘I pity the Senators who were dragged into this’

Businesswoman Janet Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam, denied Thursday setting up fake non-government organizations that allegedly received billions of pesos in pork barrel funds.

While Napoles confirmed that key whistleblower Benhur Luy is her former employee she denied ordering them to set up at least 20 NGOs that allegedly received priority development assistance funds.

She confirmed knowing the other whistleblowers, but denied some of them had worked for her at the JLN Corp.

She said she only set up one NGO, the Magdalena Luy Lim Foundation for Divine Mercy, which she used for her outreach program.

Luy, however, said Napoles was lying. "Sir, nagsisinungaling po siya. Totoo po yun," he said.

Napoles also denied funneling pork funds into the pockets of lawmakers.

Asked if she approached lawmakers and vice-versa to discuss the handling of the pork funds, she said: “Hindi po…Nakakaawa ang mga senador na nada-drag dito. Hindi totoo.”

Kickbacks and commissions

Luy said he acted as Napoles’ chief finance officer, which is why he got to know the kickbacks and commissions received by the lawmakers.

“Hindi sya CFO ko. Sa administration lang sya, kasi laging nasa religious activities. Sya ang may gawa nyan,” Napoles said.

Luy said, “since sinabi nyang religious ako, sinasabi ko ang totoo.”

Based on Luy's bookkeeping records, Senator Bong Revilla allegedly gave P652 million of his priority development assistance funds to Napoles NGOs. Luy said Revilla was supposed to have received P326 million, since there was an understanding he will get 50% of the PDAF.

Based on Luy’s book, Revilla allegedly got P224,512,500.

“May mga differences, kasi galing na kay Madam yung iba.”

For Senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s P726,550,000 worth of PDAF, he was supposed to have received P363,275,000. In Luy’s book. Enrile supposedly got P172,834,500.

For Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s P751,500,000, he was supposed to have received P375,750,000. Estrada supposedly received P183,793,750.

Executive session

Before her testimony, Napoles sought an executive session with the members of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

The committee headed by Senator TG Guingona suspended the hearing a second time within an hour into the proceedings after Napoles sought an executive session.

Asked for her reason, Napoles said, “dahil po sa sensitivity [ng issue].”

The actions of Napoles, the alleged whistleblower, shocked some political analysts who said they did not see it coming.

Political analyst Edmund Tayao said “it’s a good move” since it could mean she will tell all.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano agreed, but said anything that goes on in executive sessions will still come out in the public. He said, however, that the public may feel that the information will already become tainted.

Guingona rejected Napoles' plea since the matter does not involve national security.

The hearings finally started beginning at 11:00 a.m., with Guingona opening the first salvo. Napoles, nonetheless, was careful in her answers.

Asked for the background of JLN Corp., the company she started, Napoles said: “There is already a case in the BIR, let’s just wait for it.”

Guingona named one after the other the whistleblowers, but Napoles said not all of them were her employees.

The whistleblowers, one after the other, said she was not telling the truth.

Asked if she created the foundations alleged to have funneled the pork funds to lawmakers, she said she does not know the companies. She said she only knows of one, Magdalena Luy Lim Foundation, which she said was used for outreach projects.

“Pero lahat sila nagsasabi na ikaw ang gumawa."

Napoles answered, “hindi ko alam kung ano gusto nila sabihin. Tutal nasa Ombudsman na, hindi ko alam.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

No Napoles tell-all in Senate - Kapunan

MANILA - Businesswoman Janet Napoles will reveal what she knows about the misuse of the pork funds only at the right venue – which is not the Senate.

On Thursday, her lawyer Lorna Kapunan told dzMM, “At the appropriate time and appropriate venue, she will talk.”

She said the Senate is not the appropriate venue because of the agenda of some senators in using the hearings as a political platform.

Napoles has been subpoenaed to the November 7 hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee on the pork barrel scam.

What will happen at the Senate is a media spectacle where the public will be allowed to see who has the dirtiest linen, she said.

“[Any] confrontation is good for the media. It will not help us in getting closer to a conviction [of the guilty].”

Besides, the Senate will not even be able to give Napoles immunity from suit despite assurances from some senators.

“[An] immunity given by the Senate does not prevent criminal culpability because only a court of law such as the Sandiganbayan or Ombudsman [can provide such],” she said.

She said she and her team gave Napoles her legal options, including invoking the “right to remain silent” and the “right against self-incrimination”.

She said no one “can waive those rights except [Napoles].”

“She was the one who said she doesn’t want to go [to the Senate],” she said. And even with a subpoena, the Senate will have to ask the Makati judge to secure her, Kapunan added.

She said at the right time and place, Napoles will “confirm the belief of the people that the PDAF [Priority Development Assistance Fund] has been abused by public officials, even down to the mayors.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jeane Napoles charged with tax evasion

First, her parents Janet and Jimmy Napoles; now, it's the turn of Jeane Napoles to be charged with tax evasion before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) charged the younger Napoles with violations of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) for an alleged total tax liability of P32.06 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, for taxable years 2011 and 2012.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said Napoles was able to acquire a condominium unit at the Ritz Carlton in Los Angeles, California worth P54.73 million; and has a share, equivalent to P1.49 million, in a Bayambang, Pangasinan property purchased in 2012.

"She, however, did not file any income tax return (ITR) in 2011 and 2012; nor were there any records of returns filed that will prove that gifts, bequests or devices were given to her.

"There was no donor's tax or estate tax paid either," Henares said.

The BIR used the Expenditure Method of Investigation, where Napoles' unreported income was established by comparing the amount of money she spent to purchase the properties and her unreported income.

“The presumption is to be able to buy something worth P54.73 million, she would have earned an income net of taxes of P54.73 million. This is a conservative estimate because hindi pa namin binibilang yung gastos mo para mabuhay ka, kung nagpapa-party ka gabi gabi,” she said.

Henares said Napoles acquired a tax identification number (TIN) with the BIR in 2008, but has not filed any ITR eversince.

The charges against Jeane Napoles is the 191st filed by the bureau under its Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program under the Aquino administration.

Ritzy lifestyle

Janet Lim Napoles, who has been implicated in the P10-billion pork barrel and Malampaya fund scandal, earlier confirmed that she bought the Ritz Carlton unit in Los Angeles for her daughter as a reward for doing good in school.

She also admitted giving her daughter a Porsche Cayenne and a Porsche Boxster.

The younger Napoles earlier came under fire after her Instagram photos showed expensive cars she received from her parents during her birthday, debut and graduation from college.

The photos also show expensive watches, jewelry, clothing, and shoes.

The BIR has also filed tax evasion charges against Janet Lim Napoles and her husband.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

COA chief vows to get back 'misused' pork from Jinggoy

MANILA – Commission on Audit (COA) chairman Grace Pulido-Tan on Thursday vowed to get back pork barrel funds from Senator Jinggoy Estrada found to have been misused based on an audit report.

Pulido-Tan, who was called out by Estrada for presenting supposedly incomplete audit reports that seemed to focus on select lawmakers, said she will work on the "notice of disallowance" for Estrada.

Pulido-Tan explained that a notice of disallowance is COA's tool to get back public funds found to have been misused. The COA chief said notices of disallowance can be appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court.

"Siya ang aming unang padadalhan. Baka ma-disappoint na naman kasi siya, baka sabihin niya may pagkukulang na naman kami so I made a mental note sabi ko, 'kayo po ang unahin namin para hindi kami makalimot," Pulido-Tan told dzMM.

In his speech at the Senate yesterday, Estrada particularly noted that not a single notice of disallowance was issued under the special audit report for the pork barrel funds, officially known as Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009.

"Mga kababayan, eto po ang kopya ng COA special audit report. More than 450 pages all in all. And nowhere, nowhere in all these pages can you find a single peso of disallowance or even a suspension! Ito po dapat ang nagpahagulgol kay chairman Pulido-Tan," Estrada said.

The special audit report revealed that Estrada and fellow minority senators Bong Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile coursed their pork barrel funds to fake non-government organizations set up by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

The report showed that several NGOs linked to Napoles received P1.23 billion from Estrada, Sen. Bong Revilla and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile from 2007 to 2009.

Plunder, graft and malversation charges have since been filed against Estrada, Revilla, Enrile and 34 other people by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

In the complaint, the NBI said Estrada got P183,793,750 in kickbacks from businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles. The complaint said Revilla got P224,512,500 in kickbacks while Enrile got P174,834,500.

'Vindicated'

Tan said she was not hurt by Estrada's speech yesterday. She said COA was even vindicated after Estrada used the commision's data in citing the supposed misuse of funds of several lawmakers and government officials with close ties to the Aquino administration.

Among the names mentioned by Estrada are House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, former An Waray party-list Representative Florencio Noel, senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Alan Peter Cayetano, and former senators Francis Pangilinan and Manny Villar.

"Ang mga binaggit na pangalan ni Senador Jinggoy kagabi, na mga administration legislators daw, hinango lang sa aming sariling report. Kaya ako ay natutuawa dahil binigyan niya ng importansya ang aming report," she said.

After the plunder charges were filed, Estrada said he felt that the minority senators are being singled out by the government.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, in today's Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, however said that the cases were filed since the contents of the COA report have already been corroborated by the testimonies and documentary pieces of evidence of the whistle-blowers, mostly former Napoles employees.

Pulido-Tan, meanwhile, clarified that the COA did not conduct a special audit report on PDAF for only the period of 2007 to 2009 just to spare other lawmakers. She said after the learning of the findings of the special audit report, she ordered state auditors to begin a more thorough look at PDAF in the regular audit being conducted annually starting 2010.

"Ang dami naming PDAF report per agency - 2011, 2012, 2013. Ang nakakagulat, we see practically the same names of those involved in 2007 to 2009," she said.

She also belied Estrada's claim that the COA violated the law by prematurely disclosing audit reports without hearing the side of the involved agency.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Netizens want gov't to find 'pork scam' respondents

MANILA— Six respondents who are allegedly involved in the "pork barrel scam" have left the country. Netizens weigh whether or not the government should find them.

According to reports, former Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Galido Plaza left the country on September 11.

A former staff member of Senators Enrile, Estrada and Ruby Chan Tuason also left the country last August 26.

Enrile’s chief of staff, Jessica "Gigi" Reyes left last August 31, bound for Macau.

A staff of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Richard Came, also left the country last May.

Former executive Dennis Cunanan of the Technology Resource Center (TRC) and head of theCountrywide Agri and Rural Economic and Development Foundation Inc. Mylene Encarnacion, are also no longer in the Philippines.

Thirty-five out of 38 respondents who were charged in the pork barrel scam are on the lookout bulletin, therefore, their travels should be coordinated with the Department of Justice.

In line with this issue, TV Patrol asked the question last Friday, “Tiwala ka bang mahahabol ng gobyerno ang mga nadadawit sa pork barrel scam na nakaalis na ng bansa?”

On Facebook some people agreed, while some people said they do not believe that justice will not prevail in this type of situation.

Litz B. Alico said, “Naniniwala akong maibalik sila pero mahabang panahon pa bago sila maibalik sa pinas. Dapat silang tugisin at hanapin dahil sila’y nagnanakaw sa kaban bayan! Tuonan sana ng pansin ng ating gobyerno para sila’y maibalik at mabigyan ng parusa! Sana mabuwag na yang pork barrel.”

Joan Magno Kostakis said, “Malabo na, kahit man matagpuan sila sa ibang bansa babayaran na lang nila yun mga naghahanap sa kanila. Sagad sa buto yun at kakapalan ng mga mukha ng mga yan. Mga makasarili kala nila madadala nila yun mga perang NINANAKAW nila sa hukay. Pera pera labanan nila sa dami nilang nanakaw tyak di makukulong yan mga walang kaluluwa na yan.”

Lorena Viana agreed and said, “Oo nman dahil hindi naman kurakot at may tiwala ako sa Gobyerno ngayon kesa sa dati.”

Ruben C. Saarenas said, “Mahahabol nila yung mga sangkot sa pork barrel. Kaso hindi na nila makukuha pa ang mga pera na nakuha ng akusado.”

EvhiieLyn Villafuerte said, “Sa tingin ko ay malabo na silang mahabol. Nung nasa bansa pa nga natin sila hindi na nagawang habulin ngaun pa kayang nasa ibang bansa na sila.”

On Twitter, netizens had less hope that the respondents who left the Philippines would be found.

Jason L. ‏(@bacchus2482) said “Hindi. Hindi na bago sa atin ang anomalya. Taon taon meron, saglit lang natin kinokondena ang mga sangkot, hahabulin pa?”

Vonn Liwag ‏(@Liwagerz20) shared the same sentiment as Jason and said “Hindi na, sa liit nga ng pilipinas kung hindi pa susuko si napoles hindi pa makikita, yung nasa ibang bansa pa kaya?”

Kathleen Ynzon ‏(@kathleenynzon20) also said “NO! Hindi nga mahuli yong nasa Pilipinas lang, paano pa yong nasa ibang bansa na mas mayaman at maimpluwensya?”

Marilousyj ‏(@assiprofm20) agreed and said “Mahirap habulin yon. Pero siguraduhin na lang na yung mga prominenteng kawatan ang maparusahan at magsilbing leksyon.”

Lawrence Vida ♫ (‏@Lawrencium0320) commented “Hindi na mahahabol yan! Lalo na kung pati ang gobyerno kasabwat!”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Senate to subpoena Napoles for Thursday hearing

MANILA - The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to subpoena businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles to appear before the Senate inquiry on the P10 billion pork scam.

Sen. Teofisto "TG" Guingona III, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman, said the panel on Monday forwarded to the Office of the Senate President for signing the subpoena to compel Napoles to attend its hearing set on September 26, 2013. Under the rules of the Senate, a subpoena must be signed and approved by the Senate President.

"The appearance of Ms. Napoles in the Blue Ribbon hearing is important to our investigation as the Filipinos are looking for answers that may shed light to some issues at hand," he said in a statement.

Napoles, the owner of JLN Group of Ccompanies, is accused of setting up fake non-government organizations that acted as conduits of millions of pesos in pork barrel funds.

Key whistle-blower Benhur Luy, a former personal aide of Napoles, said lawmakers linked to the scam got as much as 50 percent of the pork barrel allocations funneled to the Napoles NGOs.

On Tuesday, September 24, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will resume its hearing on the pork barrel controversy. Resource persons include Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Benhur Luy, Gertrudes Luy, Marina Sula, Merlina Suῆa, and other whistle-blowers.

The hearing will start at 9 a.m.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Whistle-blower says lawmakers' aides got cash

Chiefs of staff of senators and congressmen personally got cash from the office of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles as part of their cut from the pork barrel scam, whistle-blower Benhur Luy said Thursday.

Luy, a second cousin and former aide of Napoles, revealed that some of the lawmakers' chiefs of staff would sometimes accompany staff of JLN Group of Companies to withdraw money from Napoles' accounts.

"Cash po. Meron ho MC (manager's check) pero hindi nakapangalan sa senador. In the Lower House, it was fund transfers. They gave account numbers and we credited the money to their account," he said.

Luy said he never personally saw a senator or congressman receive the cash or checks but noted that he was sometimes asked to prepare the cash in their office, sometimes as much as P20 million.

"To the senators, it is the chiefs of staff who go to the office. There are instances when Mrs. Napoles asked us to prepare money, say P20 million, and say she is talking to a senator and she will bring the money," he said.

"It is the chief of staff who gets the money or sometimes they accompany us to the bank to withdraw the money," he added.

Some of the chiefs of staff got as much as 1% of the pork barrel in kickbacks, depending on how much money Napoles was willing to disburse, Luy said.

He also said their office at Discovery Suites had as much as P75 million in cash withdrawn from the different bank accounts of the foundations set up to receive the pork barrel funds.

Luy said Napoles would always pay 50% of the cut of the lawmakers once the proposed ghost project has been listed by the Department of Budget and Management. The remaining 50% cut of the lawmakers would be released once Napoles got the lawmakers' special allotment release orders.

He said Napoles also gave kickbacks to officials in several line agencies linked to the scam including the National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor) and Zamboanga del Norte College Rubber Estates Corp. (ZREC) of the Department of Agriculture; Technology Resources Center (TRC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and, National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC) of Land Bank of the Philippines.

Luy has accused Napoles of setting up fake non-governmental organizations to act as conduits of lawmakers' pork barrel funds in exchange for a cut of the funds. An estimated P10 billion in lawmakers' funds were reportedly misused in the scam and pocketed by Napoles and corrupt government officials.

The Supreme Court recently issued a temporary restraining order stopping the Department of Budget and Management from releasing the remaining priority development assistance funds of lawmakers for 2013.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Palace releases PNoy photo with Janet Napoles

MANILA - Malacañang on Thursday released photographs of President Aquino with Janet Napoles, her husband Jimmy and daughter Jeane, along with several others taken in a function in Cebu in November 2012.

It also included a group photo of Aquino with Napoles and fashion designer Renee Salud.

In releasing the batch of 24 photos, the Palace wanted to show that President Aquino only obliged to photo requests of several people even without knowing them personally.

The Palace reiterated that Aquino did not know Napoles personally.

"He doesn't know them personally. He still didn't know them personally," said Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ricky Carandang.

"I've shown some of those photos and it's really just a question of her going and asking for the picture. He didn't even know who she was," he added.

The Palace released the photos after a picture of Aquino with Jeane Napoles surfaced on social media.

Following this, however, the Palace will not set restrictions on people who wish to pose for pictures with the President, saying politicians normally oblige to photo requests.


"Mahirap gawin 'yon. Kung magpunta ka sa isang event--at alam niyo naman, nakasama na rin kayo sa ilang mga event ni Presidente--marami talagang nagpapa-picture sa kanya and let's not just limit it to the President. You're a senator, you're a congressman, when you go to a public event, talagang nagpapa-picture ang tao sa inyo," Carandang said.

"And, I know this from experience ha, 'pag hindi ka pumayag magpa-picture, minsan magagalit pa sila. I think it's the right of our people, if they want to get pictures taken."

Carandang stressed that a photograph with Napoles doesn't necessarily mean guilt.

"The public understands that a picture with someone does not mean that they are guilty. Now, if there are funds that were allegedly misspent, ibang issue po 'yon," Carandang said.

"Pero I think the public will understand, regardless of who it is, na kung... may nagpa-picture sa'yo, na hindi mo naman kilala, hindi mo naman masisisi 'yung isang pulitiko na nagpa-picture siya."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

BIR: Many reported Napoles properties not in their name

MANILA, Philippines - "Many" of the properties and assets of detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and her family reported in the media turned out to be not under their names, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares said on Thursday.

However, the BIR is still pursuing its investigation into these properties and assets.

Henares said that apart from the bureau's primary concern which is to determine if there was any evasion of payment of taxes on these properties, the possibility that dummies may have been used by the Napoleses cannot be ruled out.

"Marami [properties] hindi nag-match. We're trying to find out sino ba mga may-ari nito, kung kaya ba ng income nila, kung nagbayad ba sila ng taxes... I'm not saying magnanakaw siya (Napoles), pero kung gagawa ako ng isang [illegal] bagay, siyempre I will hide my tracks. Maaring natago niya pero sa kayabangan nila, kaya lumalabas," Henares said.

Properties named after Napoles' minor and legal age children are also part of the BIR probe, she said.

"If not of age, [properties] must be a donation. So nagbayad ba ng donor's tax? If of age, then it must be income. Kaya ba ng income o may hindi naireport?" Henares said.

Properties allegedly inherited by Napoles, the alleged multi-billion peso pork barrel scam architect, will also be checked for proper payment of inheritance taxes, as well as the family's properties abroad.

In short, there will be a cross-matching of these assets and properties, payment of taxes, and declared income, Henares clarified.

Letters of Authority have been sent out to the Napoleses in connection with the BIR's probe.

The BIR is also coordinating with other government agencies in zeroing in on all the family's assets.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Palace defends Roxas' handling of Napoles detention

MANILA – Malacañang defended how Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas is handling the detention of Janet Lim Napoles.

In a radio interview on Saturday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Roxas is merely following President Aquino's orders to make sure that Napoles is secured so she can face illegal detention charges against her and other possible cases.

Valte said the President usually orders his cabinet members to attend to various emergency situations.

These include the Serendra Two and Cagayan de Oro blasts, which were attended to by Roxas, as well as various weather disturbances where Social Welfare Sec. Dinky Soliman provides aid to affected residents.

“This is not out of the ordinary for our Cabinet officials to be on top of a task that the President assigned to them,” she said. -- ANC

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Napoles ex-maid allegedly stole YSL, Balenciaga

MANILA – Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles is now in the same city jail where her former maid, Dominga Cadelina, is currently detained, as of posting.

Cadelina, who served the Napoles family for two years, has been detained in the Makati City Jail since early this year for qualified theft.

Reynald Lim, Napoles’ brother who is wanted for serious illegal detention, said in his affidavit that he saw Cadelina placing two large bags inside a balikbayan box, which the maid said at the time were her personal items.

Lim said he eventually found out that the “personal items” Cadelina was referring to belonged to the Napoleses.

So what did Cadelina allegedly steal from the Napoles family?

According to Lim, the former maid stole a Balenciaga bag and an Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) bag worth $1,800 (around P80,208) each, or a total of $3,600 (around P160,416).

Cadelina also allegedly attempted to steal four pieces of Maidenform underwear worth $800 (around P35,648), and a YSL jacket worth $8,000 (around P356,480).

The seven items allegedly stolen by Domingo are valued at $12,400 (around P552,544).

Balenciaga and YSL are two of the most popular luxury brands in the market today. Both brands are currently headquartered in Paris, France.

A Balenciaga handbag usually costs over $1,000 (around P44,560) each, and may go as high as $2,820 (around P125,659).

On the other hand, a YSL bag costs from $995 (around P44,337.20) to $2,950 (around P131,452). A quick look at the brand’s website shows that jackets are priced between $1,125 (around P50,130) and $6,490 (around P289,194.40).

Maidenform, meanwhile, is a manufacturer of women’s underwear. Its bras are priced as low as $9.94 (around P442.93) to as high as $58 (around P2,288).

On Thursday, Napoles’ lawyer, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, was quoted as saying that her client never had a lavish lifestyle.





Levito Baligod, lawyer of the pork barrel scam whisteblowers, told dzMM on Friday that Cadelina was allegedly only set up by Napoles.

One of Napoles’ daughters, Jeane, drew flak on social media after flaunting her pricey possessions, which include YSL leather sandals worth $875 (around P38,976), a Chanel clutch bag worth $1,900 (around P84,635) and a Herve Leger bandage dress worth $1,568 (around P69,846), among others.

It was also discovered that Jeane owns a unit at the posh Ritz-Carlton Residences building in Los Angeles, California, and two cars – a Porsche Cayenne and a Porsche Boxster. – With a report from Maan Macapagal, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Court OKs Napoles transfer to Laguna

The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) has granted the petition of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to be transferred to another detention facility, the clerk of court said on Friday.

In a 2-page decision, Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda ordered Napoles transferred to Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Alameda said Napoles is considered a “high profile detainee” and needs a safer jail facility.

Napoles is currently detained at the Makati City Jail, but her camp claims she is not safe there.

“Ang public hatred diyan ay hindi natin ma-control because ang dami nang galit sa kanya, hindi natin alam saan manggagaling ‘yan,” said one of Napoles’ lawyers, Atty. Lorna Kapunan.

The warden of the Makati City Jail, Chief Inspector Fermin Enriquez, also recommended that Napoles be transferred to another facility due to threats to her life.

Enriquez said he cannot personally guarantee the safety of Napoles.

He said there are only 6 female guards performing custodial duties for 104 female inmates, including Napoles.

He added that only 65 personnel are guarding the 545 male and female inmates at the Makati jail.

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Detection Group recommended to the court that Napoles be transferred to Fort Sto. Domingo, a training and seminar facility of the PNP Special Action Force.

“According to [the recommendation], ang facility daw doon ay mas OK. May enough security personnel compared to Makati City Jail na ‘yung ratio of inmates to security personnel is hindi talaga tama,” Clerk of Court Atty. Jospha Valencia said.

Among those who were previously detained at the Laguna facility were former President Joseph Estrada; Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Gringo Honasan; and Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari.

The facility has 2 air-conditioned bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge area, television and VCD player, dining area, and kitchen area with range and oven toaster.

When Estrada was detained in Fort Sto. Domingo for plunder charges in 2001, then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was criticized for allegedly giving “special treatment” to Estrada. But then PNP chief Leandro Mendoza defended the Arroyo administration, saying Estrada as a former head of state should be allowed to keep his dignity.

Napoles and her brother, Reynald Lim, are facing charges of serious illegal detention of whistleblowers Benhur Luy. Lim is still at large.

Napoles is tagged as the mastermind of the alleged P10 billion pork barrel scam. -- Reports from Dexter Ganibe, dzMM; Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Whistleblowers won't object to Napoles hospital arrest

MANILA -- Levito Baligod, lawyer of the whistleblowers in the alleged P10 billion pork barrel scam, on Friday said they will not object to a hospital arrest for businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

Napoles, who surrendered to President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday night, was transferred to the Makati City Jail from Camp Crame late Thursday evening.

Baligod said they will not object if ever Napoles asks that she be put under hospital arrest.

But he said a government doctor should be the one to conduct a medical check-up on the businesswoman, who is allegedly diabetic according to her lawyer.

"Kailangan patunayan ng isang doktor na yung diabetes niya ay isang rason para hindi siya ma-detain sa Makati City Jail," Baligod told radio dzMM Friday morning.

"Kung merong sapat na basehan...eh hindi po tayo kokontra diyan."

"Meron pa rin po siyang karapatan na kailangan nating i-respeto. So kung yung sakit po niya ay sapat na basehan para manatili muna siya sa isang ospital ay hindi po namin kokontrahin," he added.

Meanwhile, Napoles' lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, said her client is not keen on asking that she be put under hospital arrest, noting that she does not want to be perceived as receiving special treatment from the government.

"Yung condition po niya nag-palpitate siya at meron siyang diabetes kaya lang talagang ayaw namin na mag-pa-hospital arrest kasi ayaw namin na sabihin na meron syang preferential treatment," Kapunan said.

Napoles is currently detained in an air-conditioned room at the Makati City Jail, where she will be watched by two female guards at all times.

Napoles' detention room was furnished with a couch and a desk. An air bed was also brought by her family.

Kapunan said her client is already contented with her condition inside the jail.

"We're not complaining about the comfort. We are very happy about the security arrangement, 'yun lang. 'Yung discomfort niya ay part of surrendering. Hindi naman kami makakapili kung saan siya ide-detain basta assured kami at maraming nagbabantay diyan sa loob. Comfort is the least of our worries," she said.

Napoles and her brother Reynald Lim, who is still at large, are facing charges for serious illegal detention of pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy.

A case has yet to be filed against Napoles involving the alleged misuse of the pork barrel funds. The government, through the Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council (IAGCC), has launched a probe into the scam.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com