Janet seeks new arraignment venue

MANILA, Philippines - Citing security reasons, businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles will ask for her arraignment today to be transferred from Makati to Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna where she is detained.

Napoles’ lawyer Lorna Kapunan said she will file the motion today with the Makati Regional Trial Court, which last Friday denied a motion to defer the arraignment.

Napoles, the center of controversy over the pork barrel scam involving lawmakers, is facing charges of serious illegal detention filed by her cousin turned whistleblower Benhur Luy.

The arraignment is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. today.

Kapunan, however, said they are not opposing the arraignment but urged the court to have it conducted at Fort Sto. Domingo, headquarters of the police Special Action Force (SAF), where it would be much safer for Napoles.

“The arraignment will push through but we have security concerns,” she said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday gave assurance they are ready to provide security for the arraignment of Napoles.

The Makati police, tasked to secure the Makati City Hall building where the courtrooms are located, also expressed readiness.

Senior Superintendent Jose Erwin Villacorte, director of the Southern Police District, said proper security preparations have been laid down.

“We will field substantial number of policemen for her protection. We feel that she is very important for the pork barrel case,” Villacorte said.

The court allowed Napoles to be transferred custody to Fort Sto. Domingo, noting the threats on her life since she is considered the major player in the pork barrel scam.

Napoles was arrested for allegedly detaining Luy to keep him from revealing details of the scam involving several legislators to siphon off money from their pork barrel funds.

The Department of Justice recommended the filing of charges of plunder against Napoles and several prominent legislators and officials for allegedly conniving with several lawmakers in putting up fake non-government organizations to embezzle funds.

State prosecutor Christopher Garvida, on the other hand, assured the Makati court that they are ready to present witnesses against Napoles on the charges of illegal detention.

Napoles earlier sought bail, saying the evidence of guilt against her is weak.

The court under Judge Elmo Alameda said there is a need to conduct a summary hearing on Napoles’ petition for bail to determine whether the evidence of guilt is strong or weak.

“Bail is not a matter of right. The motion requires a hearing which will determine whether the guilt is strong,” he said.

Kapunan, on the other hand, said Napoles will present her evidence and witnesses in the hearing on Friday. -Cecille Suerte Felipe