Janet Napoles to remain at Camp Bagong Diwa

MANILA, Philippines — Convicted plunderer Janet Lim-Napoles will remain at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, at least for now, after the Sandiganbayan did not issue a ruling to transfer the businesswoman to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong.

In a minute resolution dated Dec. 7 and released to the media yesterday, the anti-graft court’s First Division ruled to suspend the issuance of a commitment order that would give the Philippine National Police legal authority to enforce Napoles’ transfer to the CIW.

The First Division said this is to give due course to Napoles’ petition to remain in the female dormitory run by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Camp Bagong Diwa while she appeals her conviction for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Last Dec. 7, the First Division handed down its verdict convicting Napoles of plunder in connection with the alleged misuse of about P517 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

Convicted with Napoles was Revilla’s former staff member Richard Cambe.

Revilla, the primary accused in the case, was acquitted with three magistrates ruling that “not a single evidence” was presented by the prosecution to prove that he received rebates, commissions or kickbacks for the allocation of his PDAF to bogus non-government organizations owned by Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork scam.

Hours after Napoles and Cambe’s conviction, the First Division ordered their transfer of detention to the CIW in Mandaluyong City and New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, respectively.

However, no enforceable commitment order was issued within the day.

In her urgent motion filed last Friday afternoon, Napoles, through her lawyers, said she will be filing a motion for reconsideration on her conviction.

The First Division has given the prosecution panel of the Office of the Ombudsman 10 days to file its comment/opposition on Napoles’ motion, “after which, the said motion will be deemed submitted for resolution, unless the Court finds a need to conduct further hearing on the said motion.”

“In the meantime, the Court hereby suspends the issuance of the mittimus as to accused Napoles pending resolution of the said motion,” the First Division said.

Napoles said that while she is appealing her conviction, the First Division must allow her to remain at Camp Bagong Diwa as it is a more secure facility.

“This plea is in light with the development of her entire cases which greatly affect her life and security. Her cases are considered high-profile due to involvement of high-ranking public officials,” Napoles’ motion read.