Palace: Napoles acquittal in illegal detention case won't affect 'pork' cases

The Court of Appeals' (CA) decision to acquit businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in her serious illegal detention case will not affect the plunder cases filed against her in relation to the pork barrel scam, Malacañang said Monday.

"The Court of Appeals acquitting Ms. Janet Napoles involves her illegal detention case. It has no direct impact on her pork barrel cases," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

In an interview with reporters in Malacañang, chief presidential legal counsel Sec. Salvador Panelo said the government had a strong case against Napoles in connection with the pork barrel scam, which she allegedly masterminded.

"The Court of Appeals has spoken and we respect the decision. As we always say, it’s the court that will decide whether the evidence presented before it will entitle the accused an acquittal or a conviction," Panelo said.

"Very strong case"

"But that doesn’t mean—let me emphasize that—that the [evidence] against Napoles in the plunder cases is weak. Certainly, the government has a very strong case against her," he added.

The serious illegal detention case involved Benhur Luy, Napoles' cousin and former aide who is also the whistleblower in the pork barrel scam controversy.

According to Panelo, Luy could not be a tainted witness in the plunder case if his statements were corroborated by other witnesses or documents. 

"Not necessarily, because in the illegal detention cases, while the court might not have believed him, in the plunder cases, it’s not only him being presented," he said.

"Meaning to say, there will corroborative evidence, whether in the form of documents or corroborative witnesses. If Benhur Luy will testify in court and it could be corroborated by other witnesses, supported by documents, then he becomes credible, insofar as plunder cases are concerned," Panelo added. 

Panelo said based on what he read and heard from the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Ombudsman, "they have a very strong case against those charged."

Sweetheart deal?

Abella, for his part, stressed that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte did not enter into a deal with Napoles' camp.

"Government is clear that there is no policy shift on how we deal with Napoles. Neither there is an agreement forged between the Duterte administration and Napoles," he added.

"President Duterte has repeatedly asserted the independence of the three branches of government. He has vowed not to interfere with the decisions of the judiciary or legislature, and assures the people that he will respect and not influence the results of their decision. The tripartite separation of powers will be strictly observed under this administration," Abella added.

Panelo echoed his sentiments. "The Duterte administration has never, will never, and can never enter into sweetheart deals. It’s very strict on the observance of the rule of law and following the Constitutional due process," he said.

He added that Duterte agreed to dismiss Napoles on the serious illegal detention case because it was recommended by the Office of the Solicitor General. 

Meanwhile, the presidential lawyer said that it would be up to the Department of Justice to make Napoles into a state witness if the Duterte administration would pursue plunder cases against other personalities involved who were not charged yet.

Among those facing charges in connection with the scam were three former senators. —KBK, GMA News