Napoles maid remains in hospital

MANILA, Philippines - Dominga Cadelina, the former housemaid of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles who was released from the Makati City Jail on Friday, remained in the hospital yesterday after suffering from severe hypertension.

Cadelina, a native of Davao City, was acquitted by the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 145 for qualified theft filed by Napoles’ husband and brother.

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda Acosta said Cadelina was confined at the Evangelista Hospital in San Pedro, Laguna, but she might be moved to a PAO safe house once her doctors give her clearance to be discharged.

Acosta said she personally intervened in Cadelina’s case two weeks ago and took over from the PAO lawyer assigned to her case.

She said the qualified theft case filed against Cadelina by Napoles’ brother Reynald Lim and her husband Jaime Napoles was dismissed for lack of evidence.

She was accused of stealing Napoles’ four panties and two handbags.

Acosta said the complainants claimed the alleged stolen panties were worth $800 each even though they were only able to present receipts showing the price of the underwear at $8 each.

“They padded the value of the alleged stolen items to make the case non-bailable. The complaint was fabricated,” said Acosta.