Napoles’ daughter returns to PH

Guevarra said Jeane Napoles returned to the country on Friday from Denpasar, capital city of Bali, Indonesia. (File photo: TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — The daughter of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, who was indicted for allegedly conspiring to illegally transmit government funds worth USD20 million to the United States, has returned to the Philippines, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed Saturday.

Guevarra said Jeane Napoles returned to the country on Friday from Denpasar, capital city of Bali, Indonesia.

“She (Jeane Catherine) flew back from Denpasar, Indonesia via Zest Air,” Guevarra said in a text message sent to reporters.

However, the DOJ chief said he was not able to get specific information on the flight details of the younger Napoles.

Meanwhile, the older Napoles and five of her family members, who were named defendants in the money laundering case in the United States (US), are now all in the country.

Last Friday, Guevarra disclosed that Jeane Catherine left the country last July 27.

Napoles’ brother Lim and his wife are still in the country.

“Based on the info provided by BI, it would seem that they are here in the Philippines,” he said.

The US Department of Justice said Napoles, her children Jo Christine, James Christopher and Jeane; brother Reynald Lim; and his wife Ana, were charged with money laundering and conspiracy.

American prosecutors said the money was used to buy assets in the US, including several properties and luxury vehicles.

Among those indicted in the US, Napoles, Jo Christine and James Christopher are facing multiple charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Napoles is currently detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The Court of Tax Appeals has dismissed Jeane Catherine’s PHP17-million tax evasion case.

Last July 31, it was reported that a federal grand jury in California indicted Napoles and five of her family members allegedly for wiring USD20 million of money stolen from the Philippines and deposited to bank accounts in California.

The US indictment alleged that the defendants used the money to purchase real estate, shares in businesses, two Porche Boxters and finance the living expenses of three US-based Napoles family members.

It was reported that in year 2015, the US government won a court order to freeze the USD12.5 million worth of assets bought by Napoles and others using the alleged stolen funds.