4 lawmakers want Napoles detained in ordinary jail

MANILA, Philippines - Four lawmakers opposed yesterday the use of public funds for the medical needs of Janet Lim-Napoles, whom they want detained in a regular jail.

Representatives Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte and Elpidio Barzaga of Dasmariñas City in Cavite said Napoles’ medical condition does not warrant   confinement in a hospital  as it is not life-threatening  based on reports from doctors of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The authorities should explain why she is being treated like that,” Fariñas said. “Every inmate is a security concern. She claims innocence on all allegations against her. So where is the threat coming from?”

Barzaga said: “Considering her testimony in the Senate, especially her allegations that she is innocent, the alleged threat to her life has already disappeared and therefore she should be treated as an ordinary accused.”

1-BAP Rep. Silvestre Bello III and House Deputy Majority Leader Sherwin Tugna also opposed the use of taxpayers’ money for the hospitalization of Napoles.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information chief, said money could be saved if  Napoles is transferred to a custodial center in Camp Crame in Quezon City or in a jail in Camp Bagong Diwa Bicutan in Taguig.

“With one more new high profile detainee, it would be more efficient and somehow cheaper by the dozen as they say,” he said.

“Because there will be no special arrangements and no changes in the security plan.” 

However,  Sindac said Makati Judge Elmo Alameda, who is hearing the serious illegal detention case against Napoles, has the final say on where to detain her.

“By virtue of our position in this scheme, we can’t make any recommendation, we are just law enforcers, we are not the judge or the prosecutor,” he said.

“The PNP is just following orders when the court designated us as the custodian of Napoles. And we are following that order, which includes ensuring that she is secured 24/7.

“We consider Napoles as a high risk and high profile detainee and with or without the death threat, that would be our treatment, unless her categorization is downgraded.

“With the information and the knowledge that she holds, that would be our basis of the existence of threat on her life.”

Sindac said the security arrangement would be more complicated if Napoles is moved to a regular jail since they are not under the PNP’s control, but the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

“You have already seen the scenario when she was detained for one night at the Makati City Jail, and based on our assessment, it would be more expensive and risky,” he said.

“We will welcome whatever outcome the deliberation on her custody will be. Let us not limit ourselves to the Makati City Jail, there are other options also, like Bicutan and Custodial Center. Either way, Custodial or Bicutan, they are both more economical and more efficient.”

The PNP is reportedly spending P5,000 a day for keeping Napoles in Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

A separate P120,000 is also spent whenever she attends court hearings or undergoes medical treatment.

Monthly expenses cover her food, water and power, and food of the almost 100  policemen guarding her. – Paolo Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe