Sandiganbayan justices inspect Napoles, Gigi's detention cell

MANILA, Philippines - The three justices of the Sandiganbayan Third Division which is handling one of the plunder cases that link businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and Senator Enrile conducted an inspection of the female dormitory of the Bureau of Jail management and Penology (BJMP) inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

A convoy of vehicles ferrying Third Division Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje Tang and Associate Justices Samuel Martires and Alex Quiroz arrived at Camp Bagong Diwa at about 4:40 p.m. Reporters waiting for them at the gate were barred from entering by police officers from the National Capital Region Police Office who were manning the gates. The justices left the camp at about 6:40 p.m.

Third Division Executive Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma said there is nothing irregular about the inspection.

“The honorable justices of the sandiganbayan third division as part of their duties have conducted an...inspection or a jail inspection of the BJMP city jail female dormitory,” Pulma said.

Pulma said the justices saw Napoles and fellow detainee lawyer Gigi Reyes but did not talk to them. Pulma said Napoles and Reyes were both resting when the justices arrived.

According to Pulma, Reyes and Napoles are held in adjacent rooms which are separated by a concrete wall at the first floor of the dormitory where the BJMP office are also located.

Pulma said the second and third floors of the building are occupied by male inmates while the fourth floor houses the female inmates.

Pulma told reporters that the four cells are located at the fourth floor. Each cell measures 8x5 meters. At least 37 inmates are held in each cell, he said.

“They are actually four cells. Each cell measures 8x5 meters. The average population per cell is about 37. The population of the female dormitory is 142 including Atty. Gigi Reyes and Janet Lim-Napoles,"  he said.

Pulma could not comment if the justices were satisfied with the inspection or if they have noticed any special treatment being given by the BJMP to Reyes and Napoles.

“I cannot read their minds. I have not heard any recommendations from the justices,” he said.

Pulma added that the inspection was not done to visit either Napoles or Reyes.

“This was an ocular...to check on the premises of the jail. The inspection was not conducted to visit both of them. Even sa Quezon City Jail in Camp Karingal we inspected. The only difference is that at Camp Karingal, (it was a  surprised inspection). This time, we made some arrangements with the BJMP jail warden to conduct an inspection,” he said.