Businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam, was convicted by a Makati City court and sentenced to a jail term of up to 40 years on charges of serious illegal detention filed by Benhur Luy, her cousin and trusted aide.
Judge Elmo Alameda, Makati City Regional Trial Court, Branch 150, found Napoles guilty beyond reasonable doubt of detaining Luy, who turned pork barrel scam whistleblower, at Bahay ni San Jose in Magallanes, Makati City, for three months.
Napoles was also ordered to pay Luy P50,000 in moral damages and another P50,000 in civil damages, considering he suffered serious anxiety and fright as a result of his detention.
While the decision was being read by clerk of court Diosfa Valencia, Napoles stood still and showed no reaction while holding the hand of lawyer Bruce Rivera and a blue rosary.
Napoles, who was in a yellow long-sleeved polo shirt and maong pants, arrived at the court room heavily guarded by members of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
When she heard the sentence, Napoles appeared clueless and murmured something to Rivera who was beside her.
The judge later ordered Napoles’ immediate transfer to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Reynald “Jojo” Lim, Napoles’ brother, is also included in the case but remains at large. The case against him was ordered archived.
Manila Bulletin
