Sandiganbayan junks Napoles’ appeal not to attend hearings

Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. Photo from Aquino’s official Facebook page.

MANILA — Despite claim by alleged pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles that the government need to cough Php43,500 every time she is being transported to Sandiganbayan whenever she has scheduled hearing, the anti-graft court on Thursday denied her motion not to attend the hearing.

Sandiganbayan Third Division Chairperson and Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang denied the motion of Napoles saying that there is “an imperative need for the presence of the accused” since her plunder case is a heinous crime.

Napoles is presently detained at the Ladies Dormitory of Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. In her motion filed last February, she cited “physical and mental fatigue” experienced from attending the hearings.

The prosecution, however, opposed the motion, saying prosecution witnesses have to identify the accused during hearings.

The prosecution also said that the amount of expenses in ferrying Napoles has not been raised as an issue by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The camp of Napoles insists that according to the Rules of Court, an accused may only be compelled to attend during the arraignment, promulgation, and for purposes of identification.

In response, the anti-graft court said that the reasons cited by Napoles are “unwelcome but inherent discomforts and/or necessary consequences of her being a detention prisoner.”