Duterte backs Solgen on Napoles acquittal

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte is supporting the Office of the Solicitor General in its move to recommend the acquittal of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles on her serious illegal detention case.

Duterte yesterday echoed the solicitor general’s argument that circumstances have shown that pork barrel scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy, who was allegedly detained by Napoles in a retreat house, was not restrained at all.

“It is not our job to persecute, it is your job to prosecute rightly. It’s simple justice,” the President said.

“I, myself, would move for the dismissal of the case, especially one (involving) fabricated, planted evidence, something like that,” he added. “The circumstances would show it, he was not restrained at all.”

Duterte said Luy could leave and return to the place where he was supposedly detained and was even visited by some members of the media.

The Office of the Solicitor General has recommended to the Court of Appeals the acquittal of Napoles for serious illegal detention of Luy, her second cousin.

There were speculations that the Duterte administration has made a deal with Napoles, who has named several politicians in the supposed diversion of billions of congressional funds to non-existent projects. Officials have denied the allegation.

The Makati Regional Trial Court sentenced Napoles to a prison term of up to 40 years for serious illegal detention in 2015.

The Office of the Solicitor General believes, though, that the court erred in convicting Napoles, saying there are “glaring instances” that would prove that Luy was not detained.

Duterte also denied that the solicitor general’s action had something to do with his ties with the lawyers of Napoles.

Lanee Cui-David, a former lawyer of Napoles, has been named deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. She and her husband Stephen are graduates of the San Beda College of Law, where Duterte completed his law degree.

Duterte believes, though, that all personalities involved in the pork barrel scam should be held accountable.

“I will try to assess kasi parang selective ‘yung binira eh (the prosecution was selective) … You know, it’s sauce for the gander, sauce for the goose,” he said. “The criminal action must proceed against all who are responsible. That’s the principle behind there.”

Duterte could not say if Napoles could become a state witness in the pork barrel cases.

“I don’t know, because you must appear to be the least responsible,” the President said.

Asked what he thought was the role of Napoles in the pork scam, Duterte replied: “Siya lahat. Siya lahat (it’s all her), I would say.”