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[av_heading heading=’SolGen moves to acquit Napoles in detention case’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Thursday, February 16, 2017
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“Pork barrel scam queen” Janet Napoles, wearing a bullet-proof vest, attends a public Senate hearing on the alleged Priority Development Assistance Fund scam in November 2013. AFP
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MANILA – The Office of Solicitor General (OSG) on Wednesday defended its recommendation for the acquittal of “pork barrel scam queen” Janet Lim Napoles in relation to her illegal detention charges.
In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Solicitor General Jose Calida said that the case filed against Napoles for allegedly illegally detaining his second cousin Benhur Luy is questionable.
“The (Regional Trial) Court erred in decision to convict Janet Napoles,” said Calida. “I was convinced that the decision on Napoles is wrong. If we see any injustice we will not close our eyes to it.”
“It is very unfair if Napoles will suffer incarceration for a crime she did not commit,” added Calida, who clarified that their recommendation will not affect Napoles’ pending cases in relation to the pork barrel scam.
In a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the OSG has filed with the Court of Appeals (CA) a “manifestation in lieu of rejoinder” recommending the acquittal of Napoles. Court documents showed that the CA received the manifestation on Jan. 20.
In April 2015, the Makati City Regional Trial Court found Napoles guilty of serious illegal detention of scam whistleblower Luy. The court imposed Napoles the highest penalty under Philippines law, reclusion perpetua.
Calida also said he is convinced that the conduct and behavior of Luy during the period of his alleged illegal detention belie the claims that he was restrained by Napoles.
“On several occasions, Benhur Luy went out of the retreat house without any incident,” Calida said. “During that period of his alleged detention, he even saw his family three times.”
Calida also clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte has nothing to do with the OSG’s recommendation to acquit Napoles from the illegal detention case. Napoles still has pending cases in relation to the prok barrel scam./PN
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