No immediate relief from CA for Napoles’ brother

MANILA, Philippines – The fugitive brother of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles failed to secure relief from the Court of Appeals (CA).

Reynald “Jojo” Lim filed on Monday a petition to quash the warrant of arrest against him and to stop the proceedings against him and his sister before the Makati City regional trial court Branch 150.

The seventh division of the appellate court on Wednesday, September 4, decided to return Lim’s petition due to “defects.”

Lim is facing charges of serious illegal detention with his sister Napoles. They have been accused of holding their cousin Benhur Luy for 3 months. Luy has since become a state witness in the case being prepared involving the misuse of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund.

In a two-page resolution penned by Associate Justice Noel Tijam, the CA said there are several infirmities in the petition for certiorari.

The court cited the failure to implead the government as public respondent, failure to give a copy of the petition with the Office of the Solicitor General, and incorrect verification.

“Without necessarily giving due course to the petition, petitioner is directed to correct the aforesaid defects within 5 days from receipt hereof.“

Associate Justices Romeo Barza and Ramon Cruz concurred. – Rappler.com