De Lima appeals to Senate anew not to disclose Napoles’ affidavit yet

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Facebook photo

MANILA — Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Wednesday appealed again to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee not to make public yet the affidavit of Janet Lim Napoles when she has submitted it.

Napoles is the alleged “brains” behind the Php 10-billion pork barrel and the Php 900-million Malampaya Fund scams.

According to De Lima, disclosing to the public the Napoles’ affidavit will only bring about confusion, hence, it will not serve the public interest.

De Lima believes that it will be better to finish first the verification on Napoles’ affidavit.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has until Thursday to submit to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee the affidavit of Napoles which is expected to contain the details of her transactions with lawmakers included in the so-called “Napolist.”

Despite the appeal of De Lima to the Senate last week not to make public yet the Napolist list in her possession, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee did not grant her request, instead, when the list was turned over to Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, the members of the media were immediately furnished a copy of such a list.