MANILA, Philippines — The government will recover the public funds pocketed by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles whether or not she returns them, President Benigno Aquino III said on Thursday.
"Irerecover natin one way or another 'yan. Bahala yung ating proseso sa katarungan para malaman yung katotohanan at maparushan 'yung kaukulan," Aquino told reporters at the sidelines of the Asia Europe Meeting Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Aquino was reacting to earlier reports that Napoles — in exchange for immunity — is allegedly willing to return the kickbacks she earned from the diversion of lawmakers' pork barrel funds to her bogus foundations.
The President, however, seems to be not open to the idea, noting that even Napoles' lawyers have contradicting statements regarding the businesswoman's reported offer.
"Sa totoo lang, marami tayong inaasikasong mga problema ng bayan, yung pabago-bagong kwento niya, salaysay, et cetera, inatasan na natin ang mga imbestigador na alamin ang katotohanan," Aquino said in the televised media interview.
The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file plunder charges against Napoles, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. for the embezzlement of the lawmakers pork barrel funds.
Seeking immunity from prosecution by becoming a state witness, Napoles has submitted an expanded affidavit detailing the scam and listing all those who allegedly benefited from it.
She denied in her affidavit that she is the scam mastermind and the most guilty individual in the controversy.
Aquino believes otherwise, stating in past media interviews that the businesswoman is not fit to turn state witness.
Earlier this week, Malacañang and the Department of Justice said they will let the Office of the Ombudsman decide on Napoles' supposed offer to return her kickbacks and her application for immunity as state witness.