‘Peace of mind’ among Napoles’ birthday wishes –lawyer

If there's one thing detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles wants these days, it's peace of mind.

The woman accused of masterminding a scam involving the pork barrel funds of lawmakers supposedly said this during her birthday celebration last week.

“Ang sabi niya sa 'kin nung bumisita kami sa kanya nung birthday niya, ‘Alam mo, attorney, ang gusto ko na lang ngayon ay kapayapaan ng pag-iisip ko, peace of mind’,” Napoles’ lawyer Stephen David told reporters Friday after the hearing of her petition for bail.

Napoles, who is facing a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, celebrated her 51st birthday on January 15 in detention at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Female Dormitory in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

David said Napoles seemed to be happy and at peace during her birthday, which she spent with her family and a few old friends “from long ago”.

David said no personalities from politics were present during Napoles’ birthday, which, he said, was marked with “just a simple celebration” over boxes of pizza, spaghetti and cake.

“Walang lechon, walang pork,” David said in jest.

Napoles is facing multiple counts of plunder and graft before the three divisions of the Sandiganbayan for her alleged involvement in the pork barrel fund scam.

She has been in detention since August 29, 2013, first at the Makati City Jail, then at Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna. Her detention during that time was for serious illegal detention case filed by her nephew, Benhur Luy, primary whistleblower in the pork barrel scam.

On July 29, 2014 Napoles was transferred to BJMP after the Sandiganbayan found probable cause to try her along with Senators Juan Ponce  Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and several other officials for their alleged involvement in the scam.

Asked whether Napoles’ wish for a peace of mind may be an indication that she is being bothered by her conscience over her alleged participation in the scam, David replied: “Hindi naman. Hindi sa ganun... Siyempre sino ba ang taong ayaw ng peace of mind especially if you are being barraged with so many allegations.”

“Saka bakit naman siya mako-konsensya? She is one of the biggest benefactors of the Church, of Caritas Manila, of Home for the Aged, kung baga, alam niya na ginamit niya sa mabuti ang yaman niya. Bakit siya mako-konsensya?” David said.

David and the other lawyers of Napoles have been pointing out in previous hearings that the she did not benefit from the pork barrel scam. —KBK, GMA News