Downplaying her wealth, Napoles says mom's mausoleum cost less than P10M

"Tama lang sa buhay."

 

This was how detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles described her financial status during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the alleged pork barrel scam.

 

"Ano po ba kayo, mayaman po ba kayo?" asked Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

 

When Cayetano questioned her again on her properties, Napoles refused to answer.

 

"I invoke my right (against self-incrimination). Kasama na po sa BIR case namin yan," she said referring to the tax evasion complaint filed against her and her husband, Jaime.

 

When Cayetano asked if she is ready to narrate how she became rich, Napoles said she is not.

 

Told that the mausoleum of her mother at Heritage Park costs around P30 million, Napoles said it was only less than P10 million.

 

She said that she started doing business in 1980s with a Cebu shipyard and then buying and selling of lands.

 

But Napoles refused to say how her wealth grew.

 

Asked if her husband, a former military officer, included in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth their shipyard business, Napoles said she was not aware.

 

Napoles also denied having any dealings with the government, including the notorious fertilizer fund, despite the documents presented by Cayetano.

 

Cayetano, apparently exasperated with Napoles' refusal to answer their questions, said the trader is not making it easier for the senators to believe her innocence.

 

"You are giving me a reason to believe na hindi ka nagsasabi ng totoo. Tulungan nyo kaming intindihin kayo," he said. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ/HS, GMA News