Napoles brought to Ospital ng Makati due to pain

 News
Mar 202014
 
Napoles brought to Ospital ng Makati due to pain

(Updated 12 :08 p.m.) Alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles was brought to Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) Friday after a hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 as she was in pain. Lawyer Fay Isaguirre Singson said Napoles was to be brought to OsMak for checkup. Napoles attended the hearing of her motion to undergo medical surgery and hospital confinement at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global on Friday morning. She was wearing a blue hoodie, jeans and rubber shoes. Asked what she was feeling, she replied, “hindi po mabuti.” Napoles’ surgery should not cost govt anything Earlier during the hearing, Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati RTC Branch 150 said the medical operation of Napoles, if allowed by court, should not cost the government anything. “The medical surgery of Napoles should be at no cost to the government. You will shoulder entirely the cost of your operation,” Alameda told Napoles. Napoles nodded in agreement. The accused’s motion to undergo surgery and be confined at St Luke’s Medical Center-Global has been submitted for resolution but the judge has yet to hand down his decision. During the hearing, Alameda suggested several government hospitals where Napoles could undergo operation but the latter did not agree insisting that her doctors and medical records are with St. Luke’s. Among the hospitals suggested were Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, Philippine General Hospital in Manila, East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City and Ospital ng Makati. Alameda said he wanted the operation, if ever, to be done Read More …

Napoles’ ultrasound bill not P130,000 – PNP

 Entertainment
Mar 042014
 
Napoles’ ultrasound bill not P130,000 – PNP

A doctor checks the condition of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame on Wednesday, February 26. Napoles, alleged mastermind in the P10-B pork barrel scam, has been diagnosed to have ovarian cyst.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Philippine National Police did not spend P130,000 to rent an ultrasound machine for the medical check-up of alleged pork scam architect Janet Lim Napoles. Police chief Supt. Alejandro Advincula, director of the PNP Health Service, confirmed that the national police rented an ultrasound machine for Napoles but said the rent was only P5,000. He said he has receipts to prove that the PNP did not spend P130,000 for Napoles’ ultrasound. He said the OB Gyne Department recommended that the PNP rent the machine. A junior officer at the PNP Health Services earlier told ABS-CBN News that police spent P130,00 to rent the ultrasound machine for Napoles’ transvaginal procedure. The amount is separate from the P120,000 spent just for the security and travel of Napoles to and from FortSto. Domingo in Laguna and CampCrame for her medical examination. The ultrasound machine was allegedly rented from the Health Avenue Clinic near CampCrame. Napoles, a central figure in the pork barrel scam, had asked the court to allow her to undergo medical tests and check-up at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City because these procedures cannot be done at Fort Sto. Domingo. She also asked that the court allow her to undergo hospital arrest if her medical condition merits Read More …

Mat Ranillo willing to return to PHL to help in probe of Estradas

 News
Feb 212014
 
Mat Ranillo willing to return to PHL to help in probe of Estradas

Actor Mat Ranillo III, who has been tagged as having a key role in the pork barrel scam, is willing to return to the country and testify on the plunder case, according to his sister Suzette. In an interview aired on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali, Suzette said: “Mat is willing to come home naman as long as protektado ang safety niya.” Ranillo, who played Christ and San Lorenzo Ruiz in the movies among other lead roles, has been linked to the pork barrel scam for allegedly signing vouchers for the kickbacks supposedly received by Senator Jinggoy Estrada and his mother, former First Lady and Senator Loi Estrada. Ranillo was mentioned again on national TV by whistleblower Ruby Tuason during her testimony on Thursday. Some of the vouchers were submitted in court by Ranillo in his legal dispute against JLN Corporation, a company owned by alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. Earlier, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she was told the justice department has received feelers from Ranillo but refused to give other details. “Naririnig ko rin na parang may feelers from Mr. Mat Ranillo so we would welcome that. Let’s see kung ano iyong magiging value ng kanyang testimony if and when he cooperates,” De Lima said. However, the legal counsel for the whistleblowers in the P10-billion pork barrel fund scam is not in favor of making actor Ranillo a state witness, saying it is unlikely that the actor had personal transactions with the senators implicated in the Read More …

Napoles biding her time till 2016?

 Entertainment
Feb 212014
 
Napoles biding her time till 2016?

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, poses questions to Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind during the hearing on Thursday (Nov. 7, 2013) at the Senate building in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV suspects that alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles is hoping to turn the tide come 2016, when her supposed bet for president wins. Trillanes said he believes Napoles will not spill the beans anytime soon and may be waiting for the outcome of the 2016 presidential polls before making her next move. Trillanes said Napoles is careful in mentioning individuals whom she supposedly had transactions with, as there is a possibility that these people or their allies might retain power in 2016. “Hindi magsasalita iyan dahil tataya iyan sa magiging susunod na presidente ng Pilipinas para mamasahe ang kanilang mga kaso, o mabigyan muna ng pyansa tapos para kinalaunan makakalimutan ng kababayan natin, mawawala na lang yan,” Trillanes said. “Sa tingin ko kasi ang nakikita nila is malapit na itong eleksyon eh. Kung magtitiis siya, maaari kung mananalo ang kanyang manok, eh mamamasahe ang kaso niya. Kung magsasalita siya ngayon, marami siyang makakaaway na baka ito ang mga naka-pwesto sa susunod. So kailangan masigurado niya muna. Ngayon, kung matatalo ang manok niya sa 2016 malamang magsasalita na iyan.” Pressed to name the person he believes is Napoles’ presidential bet, Trillanes said: “Alam na siguro natin iyan kung sino.” Napoles, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Read More …

No direct ‘pork’ talks with Enrile, only with his former aide – Ruby Tuason

 Entertainment
Feb 172014
 
No direct ‘pork’ talks with Enrile, only with his former aide – Ruby Tuason

State witness Ruby Tuason reads her opening statement during the Feb. 13, 2014 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged pork barrel scam as Justice Secretary Leila del Lima (right) and whistle-blower Benhur Luy (left) listen. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Potential pork barrel scam Ruby Tuason on Thursday said she never got to directly transact with Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile involving pork barrel funds. During her testimony before the Senate blue ribbon committee, Tuason said she only discussed pork barrel transactions with Enrile’s former chief-of-staff, Gigi Reyes. “He [Enrile] never talked to me about PDAF [priority development assistance fund]. He would arrive, have coffee, and pick up Attorney Reyes,” Tuason said. Also, she said she often delivered pork commissions to Reyes at fancy restaurants, such as Mamou, Gourmand and L’Opera. On Monday, Enrile said he never authorized Reyes to discuss pork barrel transactions with anyone, including Tuason. He, however, admitted to meeting with Tuason in Mamou once over lunch either in late 2006 or early 2007. He said Reyes was present during the meeting “to record the details of what is being discussed.” Enrile, Tuason and Reyes are currently facing plunder raps before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly benefiting from the pork barrel scam supposedly engineered by controversial businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. (MNS)

Palace: Latest PDAF scam witness to undergo usual state witness procedure

 Entertainment
Feb 122014
 
Palace: Latest PDAF scam witness to undergo usual state witness procedure

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, questions Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during the inquiry Thursday on the alleged P10-B Priority Development Assistance Fund scam involving the Janet Lim-Napoles group at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City.(upper photo power point presentation by Senate. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Ruby Tuason, a potential state witness in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, will undergo normal procedures in the case, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said there are requirements Tuason must meet to become a state witness in the case. “Meron tayong batas at standard na tinitingnan (We have laws and standards to observe). Kung pumasok sila sa standard, pwede sila mag-avail of the witness protection program. This does not apply only to Ruby Tuason. For any criminal offense where a person who participated in the crime (and) whose participation is not the most guilty, the law allows them to testify and shed truth to the matter,” he said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. He said that even in the United States, the law allows whistleblowers to “help facilitate and expedite the revelation and uncovering of (the) truth” in a judicial proceeding. But Lacierda stressed there are procedures and requirements for one to become a state witness. Tuason returned to the Philippines on Friday and offered to testify on the PDAF mess. For now, Lacierda said the Ombudsman is evaluating Tuason’s testimony. (MNS)

No more Napoles, whistleblowers in Senate ‘pork’ probe next week

 News
Jan 232014
 
No more Napoles, whistleblowers in Senate ‘pork’ probe next week

Expect no further testimonies from controversial businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles or from the whistleblowers linking her to the alleged P10-billion “pork barrel” scam when the Senate probe on the suspected anomaly resumes next week. In an advisory to the media, the office of Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III said the investigation next Thursday “will focus on policy issues.” Among the issues expected to be tackled are the registration, accreditation and monitoring of non-government organizations (NGOs) that deal with government contracts, Guingona’s office said. Napoles, lawmakers and other government officials allegedly pocketed millions in pork barrel funds by funneling them to bogus NGOs. Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada and Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile are currently facing plunder raps before the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged involvement in the scam. Audit chief Grace Pulido Tan, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair Teresita Herbosa and Philippine Council for NGO Accreditation chair Augusto Carpio have been invited to the probe, Guingona’s office said. In last November’s hearing on the alleged scam, Napoles, who is currently detained in Laguna for a separate illegal detention case, came face to face with her accusers. She, however, clammed up by repeatedly invoking her right against self-incrimination. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News

Napoles also got P407-M DOTC funds: lawyer

 Entertainment
Dec 202013
 
Napoles also got P407-M DOTC funds: lawyer

Janet Lim Napoles arrives at the Senate for the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged P10 billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, which reportedly involves her group and several legislators. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Aside from dipping into lawmakers’ pork barrel funds, alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles also got her hands on funds given to government agencies including a P407 million allocation for computers under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). Levito Baligod, lawyer of the whistle-blowers in the alleged P10 billion pork barrel scam, said the whistle-blowers are developing a new set of charges based on information that government funds not part of lawmakers’ priority development assistance funds (PDAF) were also coursed through fake non-government organizations (NGOs) set up by Napoles. He said P407 million in DOTC funds intended for the purchase of computers were coursed through Jo-Chris Trading, a company owned by Napoles. “Ayon sa kanila, walang delivery (ng computers) at walang bidding at lahat yun na-award sa kumpanya ni Gng. Napoles. That is one of the cases we are developing,” he said. He said students could have increased their knowledge on computers if the project was implemented properly. Whistle-blowers earlier said Napoles approached officials and offered a 50% cut of any pork barrel-funded project coursed through her foundations. Napoles is currently incarcerated on a serious illegal detention charge filed by key whistle-blower Benhur Luy. Baligod noted the wide reach of Napoles in government, saying that many lawmakers and even local government Read More …

Enrile: You can’t force me to resign

 Entertainment
Dec 092013
 
Enrile: You can’t force me to resign

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, poses questions to Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind during the hearing on Thursday (Nov. 7, 2013) at the Senate building in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile will not be resigning anytime soon after allegedly funneling his pork barrel funds to fake non-government organizations linked to Janet Lim Napoles. Enrile said he will not follow the example of Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon who resigned after being included in the second batch of cases filed in connection with the P10 billion pork barrel scam. The minority leader said Biazon resigned out of delicadeza and his decision should be respected. Enrile said lawmakers like himself who have been linked to the scam cannot be likened to Biazon. He said he cannot be forced to resign because he was voted into office, unlike presidential appointees whose alleged wrongdoings would embarrass the President. Enrile said he is ready to face the complaint filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman and that he is innocent of any crime unless proven guilty. He, however, conceded that he cannot win in the court of public opinion. Enrile is one of 39 individuals who were included in the first batch of cases filed by the Department of Justice in connection with the pork scam involving Janet Lim Napoles. The scam allegedly involved the funneling of lawmakers’ priority development assistance funds to fake NGOs set up by Napoles. A Commission on Audit report earlier Read More …

Ombudsman: No eight-page memo tagging Enrile as ‘pork’ scam mastermind

 Entertainment
Nov 292013
 
Ombudsman: No eight-page memo tagging Enrile as ‘pork’ scam mastermind

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, poses questions to Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind during the hearing on Thursday (Nov. 7, 2013) at the Senate building in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday denied the existence of an eight-page memo tagging Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile as the mastermind of the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. “I’m surprised about that eight-page memo. There’s no such thing as an eight-page memo… I have several memos. I don’t recall about an eight-page memo. Pero ang memo na natatanggap ko, more than 200 pages,” Morales told reporters at the sidelines of Senate deliberations on her office’s budget for next year. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported on Thursday that an investigative team from the Office of the Ombudsman submitted an eight-page report to Morales last week pointing to Enrile as the alleged mastermind in the pork barrel scam. According to the Inquirer report, the memorandum prepared by Assistant Ombudsman Joselito Fangon stated that “all facts point to Senator Enrile as the unseen hand directing the compass and the tempo of the whole orchestra.” Enrile and two of his collegues – Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla – have been named respondents in a plunder complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly receiving kickbacks from the scam that was allegedly engineered by controversial businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. Morales said her office has not yet recommended any charges against the lawmakers before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft Read More …

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