Napoles kids ask Sandiganbayan to stop case, arrest

The children of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles on Monday asked the Sandiganbayan to suspend the proceedings and defer the issuance of warrant of arrest against them.

 

Jo Christine Lim Napoles and James Christopher Lim Napoles are among the accused in the graft charges filed against Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, Gigi Reyes, and their mother Janet.

 

According to a tweet by dzBB reporter Allan Gatus, the Napoles siblings filed a motion for judicial determination of probable cause with urgent motion to defer the issuance of warrant of arrest and suspend proceedings.

 

The Office of the Ombudsman filed 16 counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Enrile.

 

Graft is punishable by imprisonment of not less than six years and one month to 15 years, perpetual disqualification from public office and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of any prohibited interest and unexplained wealth.

 

The provision penalizes "causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence."  —Amita O. Legaspi/NB, GMA News