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De Lima: Napoles spilled beans on Enrile, Estrada, Revilla
By ROUCHELLE DINGLASAN, GMA News
(Updated 4:32 p.m.) Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday confirmed her meeting Monday night with alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles where the detained businesswoman has vowed to "come clean."
"Tell all ito, she is coming clean," De Lima said at a press briefing. "Walang kulang, walang sobra."
Asked if Napoles has spilled the beans on Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., who were all implicated in the pork barrel scam, De Lima said: “Oh, yes."
She said the meeting took place Monday night at the Ospital ng Makati where Napoles was confined. One of Napoles' lawyers served as an emissary.
De Lima noted that her five-hour meeting with Napoles came with the blessing of President Benigno Aquino III. "I asked the clearance from the President. And he said, 'let's see what she has to say.' There is nothing wrong in listening to her," she said.
Conditions
However, De Lima said she set conditions before meeting Napoles, the first being that Napoles should “tell all.”
“Kailangan ang ibigay niyang pangalan ay kumpleto,” she said, referring to the those who supposedly benefited from the scam. “Walang sobra, walang kulang, irrespective of any political color.”
Napoles, De Lima said, is also willing to provide documents in connection with the scam.
"Yes, there are documentary evidence. She showed us some of them. She can produce more," De Lima said, noting the businesswoman's “personal knowledge” in the scam
“She is [at] the center of it all. Kilala nina 'yung mga ka-deal nina at mga diretsang inaabutan through conduits na makakatulong sa case build up,” she said.
For the second condition, De Lima demanded Napoles to meet only with her and her team in revealing information in connection with the pork barrel scam. Without naming names, she noted that some people are trying to secure “access” to Napoles.
Witness Protection Program
De Lima also said Napoles' camp wants the businesswoman to be put under the government's Witness Protection Program in exchange for her statements. However, she said she told Napoles that they cannot commit in admitting her as a state witness since they have to evaluate her statements first.
“We have no commitment na gagawin siyang state witness,” the Justice chief noted. “Ang commitment namin is that we will evaluate and validate very seriously and exhaustedly para malaman kung pwede siyang maging state witness.”
Aside from the DOJ-NBI evaluation, De Lima said it is up to the Ombudsman and the court if they would allow Napoles to become state witness. She explained that the DOJ-NBI panel may only recommend action based on their study.
Too many details
During their meeting, De Lima said Napoles provided "too many details" that prompted the Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation team to set up further sessions with her.
"Alam namin na mas marami siyang alam kaysa kay [pork scam whistleblower] Benhur Luy," she said, adding Napoles has provided “material leads” to the case.
De Lima speculated that Napoles opted to come clean because she fears for her life. “Habang hindi siya nagsasalita, open target siya. Ngayon andyan na ang statement, there is no motivation to silence her.” —KBK/JL, GMA News
"Tell all ito, she is coming clean," De Lima said at a press briefing. "Walang kulang, walang sobra."
Asked if Napoles has spilled the beans on Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., who were all implicated in the pork barrel scam, De Lima said: “Oh, yes."
She said the meeting took place Monday night at the Ospital ng Makati where Napoles was confined. One of Napoles' lawyers served as an emissary.
De Lima noted that her five-hour meeting with Napoles came with the blessing of President Benigno Aquino III. "I asked the clearance from the President. And he said, 'let's see what she has to say.' There is nothing wrong in listening to her," she said.
Conditions
However, De Lima said she set conditions before meeting Napoles, the first being that Napoles should “tell all.”
“Kailangan ang ibigay niyang pangalan ay kumpleto,” she said, referring to the those who supposedly benefited from the scam. “Walang sobra, walang kulang, irrespective of any political color.”
Napoles, De Lima said, is also willing to provide documents in connection with the scam.
"Yes, there are documentary evidence. She showed us some of them. She can produce more," De Lima said, noting the businesswoman's “personal knowledge” in the scam
“She is [at] the center of it all. Kilala nina 'yung mga ka-deal nina at mga diretsang inaabutan through conduits na makakatulong sa case build up,” she said.
For the second condition, De Lima demanded Napoles to meet only with her and her team in revealing information in connection with the pork barrel scam. Without naming names, she noted that some people are trying to secure “access” to Napoles.
Witness Protection Program
De Lima also said Napoles' camp wants the businesswoman to be put under the government's Witness Protection Program in exchange for her statements. However, she said she told Napoles that they cannot commit in admitting her as a state witness since they have to evaluate her statements first.
“We have no commitment na gagawin siyang state witness,” the Justice chief noted. “Ang commitment namin is that we will evaluate and validate very seriously and exhaustedly para malaman kung pwede siyang maging state witness.”
Aside from the DOJ-NBI evaluation, De Lima said it is up to the Ombudsman and the court if they would allow Napoles to become state witness. She explained that the DOJ-NBI panel may only recommend action based on their study.
Too many details
During their meeting, De Lima said Napoles provided "too many details" that prompted the Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation team to set up further sessions with her.
"Alam namin na mas marami siyang alam kaysa kay [pork scam whistleblower] Benhur Luy," she said, adding Napoles has provided “material leads” to the case.
De Lima speculated that Napoles opted to come clean because she fears for her life. “Habang hindi siya nagsasalita, open target siya. Ngayon andyan na ang statement, there is no motivation to silence her.” —KBK/JL, GMA News
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