Napoles did not issue written instructions to avoid paper trail  –whistleblower

(Updated 2:10 p.m.) As advised by her lawyer, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles did not issue written instructions to her staff regarding deals using government funds to avoid paper trail, whistleblower Marina Sula said Friday.

In her testimony before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, Sula said she heard "Atty. Rocky" or lawyer Marciano Delson giving advice to Napoles not to write her instructions.

"Hindi niya (Napoles) nakaugalian na magbigay ng written document especially sa mga presidente ng NGO dahil yun ang magpapatunay na siya ang nago-own at nagko-control ng NGOs," she said.

Napoles allegedly used bogus non-government organizations to divert government funds from some lawmakers' pork barrel allocation to her account.

Sula was the president of Masaganang Ani para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc, one of the NGOs allegedly owned by Napoles.

"Verbal lang ang instruction niya sa amin, advice ni Atty. Rocky para walang koneksyon sa mga korporasyon. Nadidinig ko po sila, ginawa na ngang biruan yun sa opisina," Sula added.

Asked for other proof of her allegation, she said no other.

Justice Samuel Martires said Sula has a habit of name-dropping as she reminded her that her immunity only pertains to the pork barrel scam and will not extend if the persons she mentioned in her testimonies will file perjury charges against her.

Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang called for a five minute recess to allow the prosecution panel confer with Sula and advise her on her testimonies.

After the hearing, Napoles told reporters Delson did not give her such instruction, adding that the latter was not her lawyer but just a friend.

“Sa tutuo lang pinigilan ko ang luha ko. Last week, ang siniraan niya [Sula] isang justice, ngayon si Atty. Rocky na isang taong napakatino, kahit itanong nyo kung sino ang nakakikilala kay Atty. Rocky, hindi ho siya ganun, hindi ganun ang pagkatao ni Atty. Rocky. May abugado ba na magtuturo sa iyo nang ganun?” she said.

Also, she said Delson used to go to her office at Discovery Suites in Pasig City during parties, adding it was the son of the lawyer whom she met first.

Napoles is currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology female dormitory in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig for multiple plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel fund scam. — LBG, GMA News