Napoles to appeal denial of immunity bid

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

MANILA — Despite the justice department’s plan to immediately file charges before the Sandiganbayan, Janet Lim-Napoles’ camp is planning to file a motion for reconsideration before the Office of the Ombudsman to appeal the denial of their bid for Napoles’ immunity.

In a statement during an interview for the GMA News TV, lawyer Stephen David, Napoles’ legal counsel, insisted that Napoles is “not the most guilty” in the pork barrel scam.

The statement was made after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales denied Napoles’ immunity bid saying that evidence shows that Napoles is the most guilty in the scam.

“Na-deny daw ang immunity [motion] kasi sabi nila, [Napoles] appears to be most guilty. Magpa-file kami ng motion for reconsideration sa Ombudsman at ipapakita [namin] na hindi siya ang most guilty,” David said.

(Our immunity (motion) was denied because they are saying that Napoles appears to be the most guilty. We will file a motion for reconsideration before the Ombudsman and we will prove them that she (Napoles) is not the most guilty.)

David also made a clarification on the issue that Napoles will no longer be submitting documents that will support her claims on the past lawmakers’ involvement in the scam.

This was after one of Napoles’ lawyers, Bruce Rivera, was quoted saying his client will no longer release the documents.

Though, David admits that they will only be giving out limited information without the immunity, they will still be supporting the government.

“In fact, sabi ni Mrs. Napoles, immunity or no immunity, tutulong tayo sa gobyerno. Tuloy pa rin,” he added.

(In fact, Mrs. Napoles said that whether or not she will be issued immunity, we will still be helping the government. (We will) continue.)

He also added that the limitation on the documents that will be released will be done in order to protect his client from self-incrimination.

“Kung magbibigay ako ng dokumento habang kinakasuhan mo ako, gagamitin mo ang dokumento na ‘yan laban sa akin,” he explained. 

(If I will be giving documents while charges are filed against me, the documents will be used against me.)

David also said that Napoles’ statements and documents on the pork scam will be vital to push the cases forward.

With reports from GMA News