Sandigan thumbs down Napoles' WPP transfer plea

The Sandiganbayan has denied the bid of alleged pork barrel fund scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to be transferred to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Department of the Justice (DOJ)

In a five-page resolution promulgated on April 5, the First Division junked the urgent motion of Napoles since the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program state that no respondent facing jail time can become a state witness.

The Sandiganbayan said it already found strong evidence against Napoles to hold her for trial in connection with the multi-billion-peso scheme.

"As such, there is no question that accused Napoles' continued detention under the (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology), which arose from a lawful order from this court, is for a lawful cause," the resolution read.

The Sandiganbayan said placing Napoles under the WPP "is contrary to the clear and express import" of the law which merits the denial of the motion.

Under Article IX, Section 1 of the IRR, the WPP "shall not take into its protective custody a witness who is under detention for any lawful cause. However, it shall direct the custodian of the witness to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the witness."

Division chairperson Associate Justice Efren de La Cruz penned the resolution, with the concurrence of Associate Justices Geraldine Faith Econg and Edgardo Caldona.

The Third and Fifth Divisions of the anti-graft court have yet to issue their respective resolutions on the same motion.

Napoles' camp had earlier cited harassment and threats against her in her detention facility at Camp Bagong Diwa and her provisional admission as state witness as grounds for her transfer to the WPP. — MDM, GMA News