DOJ open to Napoles’ transfer to ordinary jail

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice is now open to the idea of transferring alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles to an ordinary jail, Malacañang said yesterday.

“At least now it’s being studied by the DOJ. They’re now open to the idea,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Her statement came on the heels of suggestions, particularly from administration ally Sen. Francis Escudero, that Napoles – alleged to have embezzled billions in taxpayers’ money – be made to join petty criminals in jail.

She also said the DOJ is studying scenarios if Napoles is moved to a regular city jail.

Several quarters have raised concerns over the high cost of keeping Napoles at Fort Sto. Doming in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and of transporting her to Makati for her court appearances.

The government reportedly spends P150,000 monthly for her continued detention at Fort Sto. Domingo.

Valte also said Napoles should not be choosy about where to get treatment for her ailment because she is a detention-prisoner with limited rights.

The government wants her to get medical attention at the PNP Hospital in Camp Crame while Napoles prefers St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Last month, President Aquino supported the request of Napoles for a medical check-up for possible tumor, saying it was part of the duty of the state to ensure that inmates’ health conditions were taken care of.

But he clarified that only the courts should decide on the matter.

Escudero, during last Thursday’s hearing on the pork barrel scam, pointed out that keeping Napoles in a special jail sets a bad precedent and sends the wrong signal to the public.

“My problem here is quite simple. Those who have plundered the national coffers in billions get to stay in Sta. Rosa or any hospital much to their comfort. Those whose crimes pale in comparison with Napoles – the cell phone snatchers and the street snatchers – languish in cramped and dingy jails,” he said.

“It’s like teaching our children that if they must steal, steal big so at least you get to be jailed in the comfort of those special cells,” Escudero added.

In the same hearing, the senator also asked Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to explain why Napoles, dubbed as the pork barrel scam queen by media, still enjoys the comfort of a special cell facility despite being uncooperative with the government in ferreting out the truth.

“I just find it difficult to swallow the situation right now that she keeps her ground and not talk, we spend so much for her and yet we are not getting anything from her. As soon as she opens her mouth, perhaps that’s when we should secure and protect her,” Escudero said.

“Did it not cross your mind that placing her in a regular jail, along with all other accused of crimes, will persuade her to talk and spill on what she knows about this scam? Maybe if she gets a taste of how decrepit it is to live in a regular jail, she will crack,” he said.

According to Escudero, the alleged security threats facing Napoles are a lame excuse and cannot justify the special treatment she gets.

“It’s just too much to bear that she gets to be treated so special with all the works of a special convoy whenever she goes out of Sta. Rosa. Not even the President parades on the street with those decoy vehicles, decoy convoy on regular days,” Escudero said. Meanwhile, the Manila Regional Trial Court yesterday resumed its hearings on the forfeiture case filed by the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) against those implicated in the pork barrel scam.

Napoles, pork barrel scam main whistle-blower Benhur Luy and former Napoles employee Evelyn de Leon were represented by their lawyers in the hearing.  – With Christina Mendez, Aie Balagtas See