DOJ to subpoena anew daughter of Janet Lim Napoles

 Entertainment
Nov 292013
 
DOJ to subpoena anew daughter of Janet Lim Napoles

Really?: An alleged photo of Jeane Napoles, daughter of Janet Lim-Napoles who is at the center of the pork barrel scam that involves lawmakers in the Philippines, as she is supposedly “bathing” in a tubful of money that has been circulating on the internet. This one was posted in en.wordpress.com. MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) will again send subpoena to Jeane Napoles to appear in the conduct of the hearing this Dec. 10 on the P32.06-million tax evasion case filed against her. Jeane is the daughter of Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged “brains” behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam and the P900-million Malampaya Fund scam. This was because Jeane did not appear during the first hearing of the case on Tuesday. Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edna Valenzuela earlier ordered Atty. Francisco Tolentino, counsel of Janet and Jimmy Napoles, to inform the daughter of his client to submit a counter-affidavit. Tolentino is the second lawyer who appeared during the hearing last Nov. 5 as counsel of the Napoles couple in their P60-million tax evasion case. During the hearing Tuesday, a certain Atty. Ian Dela Cruz Encarnacion appeared before the DOJ to submit the counter-affidavit of the Napoles couple. However, the panel of prosecutors rejected the counter-affidavit because it was only notarized instead of subscribed before a public prosecutor which is contrary to the existing rules. (MNS)

SC: DAP oral arguments moved to November 19

 News
Nov 072013
 
SC: DAP oral arguments moved to November 19

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday moved to November 19 the oral arguments on the constitutionality of the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). “Urgent Advisory: oral argument in the consolidated #DAP cases is reset from (November) 11 to (November) 19 at 2 PM,” the SC Public Information Office tweeted. The SC initially scheduled the oral arguments on October 22, had it reset to November 19 and moved the same to November 11. As of Thursday, the high court has received nine petitions questioning the DAP’s constitutionality especially as it was realigned without the Congress’ approval. The DAP received flack after Senator Jinggoy Estrada bared that he and other senators who voted to convict former Chief Justice Renato Corona in May last year received P50 million each in additional funds months after the impeachment trial. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad later admitted that the funds came from the DAP, but maintained these were not bribes or incentives for senators. He said the DAP fund, which is basically realigned savings, was released to address sluggish government spending in 2011. Estrada, along with Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., is facing a plunder complaint over the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam supposedly masterminded by trader Janet Lim-Napoles. All three seantors have denied being involved in the alleged anomaly. In a televised address last week, President Benigno Aquino III criticized “thieves” who equated the DAP with the pork barrel scam, adding that his critics were diverting the public’s attention and smearing his Read More …

Kapunan withdraws as Napoles’ lawyer in serious illegal detention case

 Entertainment
Nov 052013
 
Kapunan withdraws as Napoles’ lawyer in serious illegal detention case

Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras talks with fugitive businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam, husband Jimmy and lawyer Atty. Lorna Kapunan at the President’s Hall Receiving Area of the Malacañan Palace last August 28. Kapunan has quit for still unknown reasons. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Lawyer Lorna Kapunan on Wednesday withdrew as lead defense counsel in the serious illegal detention case filed against businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, citing “differences in opinion.” Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima confirmed Kapunan’s withdrawal but said she did not know why. “It’s a matter between her (Kapunan) and her client,” De Lima said. Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 clerk of court Diosfa Valencia said Kapunan had not yet submitted her motion to withdraw as defense counsel of Napoles and her co-accused and brother Reynald Lim in their serious illegal detention case. “Depende na sa kanya kung maghire s’ya ng replacement or contented na s’ya with Attorney Villamor [It depends on her if she decides to hire a replacement or she’s already contented with Attorney Villamor],” Valencia said referring to Napoles. Villamor is the collaborating counsel of Kapunan and has been a long time counsel of the Napoleses. Before the confirmation, speculation was already rife that Kapunan had left the case after her sudden departure with her team of around five lawyers after showing up briefly at Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 around 9 a.m. Wednesday, before the scheduled hearing of Napoles’ bail petition on the Read More …

De Lima hopes Napoles appearance in Senate won’t affect plunder complaint

 Entertainment
Oct 222013
 
De Lima hopes Napoles appearance in Senate won’t affect plunder complaint

Blue Ribbon Committee chair, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima reconcile after Guingona earlier admits being “disappointed” for not bringing whistle blowers during the pork barrel scam probe at the Senate on Tuesday (Sept. 24, 2013). Both parties shake hands after. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday expressed hope that the appearance of Janet Lim-Napoles will not have any adverse effect on the plunder complaints the controversial businesswoman is facing before the Office of the Ombudsman. “Sana nga anything that is done or that will transpire or happen in that proceeding na andyan si Mrs. Napoles ay hindi makakaapekto sa Ombudsman cases. Hindi makaapekto sa aming complainants at sa takbo ng kaso,” De Lima told reporters, adding that it will all depend on what Napoles discloses in the probe. But she believed that Napoles would just invoke her rights during the hearing being conducted by the Senate blue ribbon committee. “Depende kung me sasabihin siya kasi very possible na mag-iinvoke lang siya ng mga rights like right to remain silent, right against self incrimination. I wouldn’t really know, depende yan kung ano ang kalalabasan,” De Lima said. During a privilege speech Wednesday, Senate President Franklin Drilon said he has signed the subpoena requiring Napoles to attend the Senate probe on the alleged pork barrel scam. The move preempted a Senate caucus where senators are supposed to decide on whether or not to summon Napoles to the investigation. For her part, Read More …

COA: DSWD has P854M unliquidated ‘pork’ funds

 News
Oct 192013
 
COA: DSWD has P854M unliquidated ‘pork’ funds

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has not yet liquidated pork barrel funds amounting to P854.4 million that was released through it for programs of various non-government organizations,  according to the Commission on Audit report. In a COA report released Friday, state auditors disclosed total fund releases to NGOs from 2006 and prior years and until December 31, 2012, amounted to P1.042 billion, of which 83 percent or P872.611 million has remained unliquidated. A detailed breakdown attached to the audit report showed at least half of the unliquidated amount was disbursed between 2010 and 2012. Of the total P1.042 billion, P854.4 million was from lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations, commonly called “pork barrel.” NGO beneficiaries were supposed to liquidate cash allotments through submission of “Fund Utilization Reports (FURs),” a requirement most of them simply ignored, and that the DSWD had been lax about monitoring compliance, the COA report said. “Insufficient efforts to monitor project implementation and failure to enforce the immediate liquidation of fund transfers… resulted in minimal settlement on funds transferred to various NGOs and/or POs [people’s organizations],” it added. Moreover, it said, “We recommend that management send demand letters to NGOs/POs with outstanding obligation and monitor continuously its settlement.” State auditors have recommended that DSWD stop granting additional funds to NGOs with unliquidated balances. Likewise, it suggested to “impose sanctions against NGOs/POs found remiss in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.” The PDAF has become controversial since the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam surfaced Read More …

PNP: Venue ready if Senate decides to grill Napoles in Laguna

 News
Oct 192013
 
PNP: Venue ready if Senate decides to grill Napoles in Laguna

A structure is available to serve as a venue for the Senate to grill suspected pork barrel scam brains Janet Lim-Napoles – if the Senate decides to hold the hearing at the fort where she is detained. Philippine National Police spokesman Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said the structure is near Napoles’ detention facility inside Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna, radio dzBB reported Saturday. Sindac said the structure can be spruced up to serve as an inquiry room for senators investigating the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam. The Senate blue ribbon committee is looking into Napoles’ role in the scam, where she is accused of setting up fake non-government organizations to siphon the Priority Development Assistance Fund of some lawmakers. Napoles and some lawmakers have since been charged with plunder for the pork barrel scam mess. Earlier this month, Senate President Franklin Drilon said he will sign a subpoena for Napoles to appear before the Senate blue ribbon committee’s inquiry. However, security remains a concern for Napoles. Authorities had invoked security in transferring her to Fort Sto. Domingo last September 1. The pork barrel mess has elicited outrage from the public, and triggered several gatherings calling for the abolition of the pork barrel system. — LBG, GMA News

Napoles lawyer wants whistleblowers included in plunder case

 News
Oct 142013
 
Napoles lawyer wants whistleblowers included in plunder case

The lawyer of embattled businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles on Monday said the whistleblowers in the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam should be included in the plunder case. Lawyer Lorna Kapunan said those testifying against Napoles, who is facing plunder charges in connection with the supposed scam, should be included in the case before they can be turned into state witnesses. “You cannot be dropped from the case if you are not included as a respondent,” she told reporters before the start of the hearing on Napoles’ bail petition at the Makati Regional Trial Court. Napoles is currently detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna over a serious illegal detention case involving the pork barrel scam’s whistleblower Benhur Luy. Kapunan said neither the National Bureau of Investigation nor the Department of Justice can remove a suspect in the charge sheet. She said only the court — in this case the Sandiganbayan — can make such a decision. Kapunan also noted that non-inclusion in the charges gives the whistleblowers an “unbridled license to say anything.” “Every day meron silang mga statement. Pag hindi sila included sa kasong plunder, walang sworn statement yan, they cannot be held liable for perjury,” she said, adding that the statements from the whistleblowers are unfair to her client. Among the whistleblowers against Napoles are Luy, Merlina Suñas and Marina Sula, all former employees of her JLN Corp. Kapunan said they will be presenting three witnesses for Napoles’ bail petition but did not identify them. The defense panel is Read More …

5 million signatures enough to abolish PDAF, DAP – Ex-CJ Puno

 News
Oct 082013
 
5 million signatures enough to abolish PDAF, DAP – Ex-CJ Puno

Who needs the House of Representatives and the Senate to pass a law to abolish pork barrel and other lump sum appropriation? According to former Chief Justice Reynato Puno the electorate can can bypass Congress and directly scrap the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF), commonly known as pork barrel, and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) if five million signatures advocating their abolition can be gathered. “Hindi lang Kongreso ang may karapatang magpanukala ng batas. Ang taumbayan mismo ay may karapatan na magpanukala ng batas kung sa palagay nila ang ating Kongreso ay hindi ginagawa ang kanilang katungkulan,” Puno said in a television report aired on GMA 7’s “24 Oras” on Tuesday. “You cannot expect them [lawmakers] to pass legislation that will be contrary to their selfish interest,” he noted, adding, “Nawala na ‘yung moral authority nila to enact this kind of law.” Republic Act No. 6735, says the citizenry has the power to directly propose, enact or approve a law provided: – At least 10 percent of Filipino voters signed the petition. There are about 52 million voters in the country, so the petition needs to be signed by at least 5.2 million people. – At least three percent in all the legislative districts signed up the petition The Commission on Election, then, will verify the signatures in the petition and, eventually, set the election date for the Filipino voters to choose to abolish pork barrel or not. During the Ramos and Arroyo administrations, there were attempts to use a Read More …

Ex-Pres. Arroyo, Ermita, ex-DAR, DBM execs, 20 others rapped with plunder on P900-M Malampaya fund scam

 Entertainment
Oct 042013
 
Ex-Pres. Arroyo, Ermita, ex-DAR, DBM execs, 20 others rapped with plunder on P900-M Malampaya fund scam

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (MNS Photo) MANILA, Oct. 3 (Mabuhay) – The Dept. of Justice on Thursday filed plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and several former and current government officials in connection with the alleged P900-million Malampaya Fund scam. The P900-million fund was supposed to be intended for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in September 2009 and was allegedly disbursed through the local government units. Aside from Arroyo and Ermita, also charged with plunder and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were former Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and the presidents of the 12 non-governmental organizations of Napoles. Also charged were former Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Rafael Nieto and DAR finance officer Teresita Panlilio; former Budget Secretary and now Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr., and Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos. In the sworn statements filed at the Ombudsman, Napoles allegedly conspired with the other respondents to make it appear that the local government officials have a legitimate request to the Department of Agriculture for the materials and equipment for the farmers for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and repair of damages brought about by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009, however, no delivery of the same was made. The complaint alleged that Executive Order 848 was issued on Oct. 13, 2009 by then President Arroyo which was made as the basis of the Oct. 8, Read More …

Plunder raps filed vs Napoles, three senators in pork scam

 News
Sep 162013
 
Plunder raps filed vs Napoles, three senators in pork scam

The Office of the Ombudsman received on Monday plunder raps against businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and at least three senators said to have benefitted in the P10 billion pork barrel scam.  The accused lawmakers are Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile and former Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada. The Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation submitted the complaint around 3:30 p.m on Monday.  The pork barrel scam was allegedly led by Napoles, who turned fugitive after a court ordered her arrest over serious illegal detention of her employee and main scam whistleblower Benhur Luy. She surrendered two weeks later. Napoles was accused of being behind questionable NGOs that implemented ghost projects using pork funds, also known as the Priority Development Assistance Fund. The funds were supposedly siphoned to the pockets of Napoles and lawmakers. Luy in a Senate hearing said the division could reach up to 50-50.  Napoles is detained at Fort Santo Domingo in Laguna. —KG, GMA News

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