De Lima agrees to submit Napoles list to Senate

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has agreed to turn over to the Senate a copy of the controversial list prepared by alleged pork barrel scam brains Janet Lim-Napoles containing the names of people supposedly involved in the controversy.
 

"Since it's a subpoena, I will comply," De Lima told reporters in a text message Monday, referring to a subpoena earlier issued by the Senate blue ribbon committee ordering her to give the body a copy.

 

During a press briefing at the Senate, committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III said his panel will "most likely" hold a hearing on the matter after he gets a copy of the list.

Also on Monday, a lawyer filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to compel De Lima to disclose the list.

In a petition for mandamus, lawyer Napoleon Arenas insisted that the so-called "Napolist" is classified as being of public concern and should be made known to the public. 

 

De Lima earlier admitted that the Senate has the power to force her to reveal the contents of the list. But she asked that she be given enough space to validate Napoles' claims.

 

"By law and the Constitution, yes, the Senate can compel me to disclose the list, under the pain of contempt," De Lima earlier said. "But I will appeal to them to wait for the proper time and give me enough space to discharge my mandated tasks with utmost responsibility." 

 

Several groups and individuals, including former Senator Panfilo Lacson, have appealed to De Lima to divulge details of Napoles' revelations. Lacson earlier said he was given a copy of Napoles' list by the detained businesswoman's husband, Jaime Napoles. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News