Whistle-blowers oppose immunity for Janet

MANILA, Philippines - Lawyers of the whistle-blowers in the pork barrel scam expressed concern yesterday over the proposal to make businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles a state witness.

Raji Mendoza and Dennis Manalo, counsels of Benhur Luy and respondent-turned-witness Ruby Tuason, respectively, revealed their reservations at a press conference in Quezon City yesterday afternoon.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, however, said the lawyers’ worries regarding the credibility of Napoles could be premature.

Both lawyers said their clients were concerned over the possibility of Napoles muddling the plunder and other cases set to be filed with the Sandiganbayan.

Mendoza said accepting Napoles even as ordinary witness could complicate matters, adding that Luy is wary about the possibility of Napoles claiming that she is not the mastermind of the pork barrel scam.

Napoles’ lawyer Bruce Rivera had reportedly hinted that Napoles’ affidavit would show that she was not the mastermind of the fund anomaly.

Manalo said they are concerned about Napoles being granted immunity from prosecution once accepted as state witness.

“She is not fit (to become state witness). For one, it requires that the witness should be not the most guilty of the crime charged,” he explained.

“We have no qualms if her testimony is used as a confession, but granting immunity to her brings discomfort. With whistle-blowers’ evidence and... the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and COA (Commission on Audit) findings, is this affidavit of Napoles absolutely necessary?” he asked.

De Lima and Napoles met for five hours inside the Ospital ng Makati Monday night where the latter made a “tell-all” confession on her role in the pork barrel scam.

De Lima said Napoles confirmed the involvement of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. and others already charged with plunder before the Office of the Ombudsman.