MANILA: Citing security reasons, businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles will ask for her arraignment today to be transferred from Makati to Fort Sto Domingo in Sta Rosa, Laguna where she is detained.
Napoles’ lawyer Lorna Kapunan said she will file the motion today with the Makati Regional Trial Court, which last Friday denied a motion to defer the arraignment.
Napoles, the centre of controversy over the pork barrel scam involving lawmakers, is facing charges of serious illegal detention filed by her cousin turned whistleblower Benhur Luy.
The arraignment is scheduled at 1:30 pm today.
Kapunan, however, said they are not opposing the arraignment but urged the court to have it conducted at Fort Sto. Domingo, headquarters of the police Special Action Force (SAF), where it would be much safer for Napoles.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday gave assurance they are ready to provide security for the arraignment of Napoles. The Makati police, tasked to secure the Makati City Hall building where the courtrooms are located, also expressed readiness. Senior Superintendent Jose Erwin Villacorte, director of the Southern Police District, said proper security preparations have been laid down.
“We will field substantial number of policemen for her protection. We feel that she is very important for the pork barrel case,” Villacorte said.
The court allowed Napoles to be transferred custody to Fort Sto. Domingo, noting the threats on her life since she is considered the major player in the pork barrel scam. Napoles was arrested for allegedly detaining Luy to keep him from revealing details of the scam involving several legislators to siphon off money from their pork barrel funds.
The Department of Justice recommended the filing of charges of plunder against Napoles and several prominent legislators and officials for allegedly conniving with several lawmakers in putting up fake non-government organizations to embezzle funds.
The Philippine Star
