Least guilty?

Many were surprised with the news that Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the largest scam in the country, was entered into the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP). From what I and many understood, only the least guilty of whatever crime can be considered as a state witness and enter the WPP. Even Senator Koko Pimentel, an ally of President Duterte, declared that Napoles’ inclusion into the WPP was “an unbelievable, crazy development.” The current administration seems to alter what has been achieved in the cases against Napoles. Two senators have already been granted bail. Perhaps some other senators will now replace them?

Secretary Andanar, in his own brilliance, said that if one is innocent, why fear Napoles? He adds that it does not matter if one is least guilty or most guilty, what matters is the truth. Andanar clearly does not know how the WPP works. If that is the case, then the DOJ should make state witnesses of all those accused of killing of Horacio Castillo III, and let them all start pointing to each other in court. Andanar apparently does not give importance to state witnesses. How sure is he that Napoles will tell the truth, now that the government has embraced her?

In a new development, Napoles’ lawyer said he met with Palace officials, who then advised him what to do regarding the transfer of his client to the DOJ after her inclusion into the WPP. He claims he met with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and DOJ Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre, who advised him on how to transfer Napoles from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to the DOJ. He was apparently advised to file a motion at the Sandiganbayan. The lawyer said that they needed to consult “people in authority.” It appears the Palace provided legal advice to the brain of the PDAF scam.

However, Medialdea denies this. Why would he give legal advice to Napoles’ lawyer? If he were Napoles, he would fire him. Well, that’s just good to hear, but Napoles is indeed included in the WPP, and will be under the care of the wide arms of the DOJ. Funny, but Aguirre said they were indeed consulted by Napoles’ lawyer. If the Palace had a hand getting Napoles into the WPP, we can expect her to start telling on the critics and former administration officials, which they seem to have quite an itch for. According to Sen. Leila de Lima, Napoles will now sing whatever the administration wants to hear.

The DOJ seems to be very busy nowadays. First, the dismissal of the cases against Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa. Now, Napoles’ acceptance into the WPP. It is also noteworthy that the DOJ does not immediately release information to the public. The dismissed cases of Lim and Espinosa happened last December while Napoles was accepted into the WPP last February 27. What else does the public not yet know? Take the plunder cases against former Bureau of Immigration Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles. We all know they are fraternity brothers of President Duterte and Aguirre. Will we all be surprised, someday?