MANILA, Philippines – The maid whom alleged pork barrel queen Janet Lim Napoles set up for qualified theft was released from Makati City Jail past noon on Friday, October 4.

Dominga Cadelina, whom Napoles had put behind bars by allegedly planting evidence in her belongings last February, received the release papers from Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 145, said Cadelina’s daughter, Lilly.

Cadelina went to a hospital in San Pedro, Laguna.

According to Public Attorney’s Office chief Percida Acosta, Cadelina’s motion for reconsideration to demurrer to evidence – initially denied by the court – was granted by the Makati RTC around noon time, October 4.

“The motion to dismiss the case was granted a week after we filed,” Acosta said, adding that Judge Carlito Calpatura understood the need for a “speedy trial.” 

Rappler reported in August about Cadelina, Napoles’ maid for 10 years.

When Cadelina asked permission to quit her job and go home to the province in February, Napoles allegedly gave her cash and gifts to bring home to her family, but called the subdivision guards to check on Cadelina, whom she claimed was running away after stealing from her.

READ: Napoles may join ex-maid in jail

Napoles briefly joined Cadelina at the Makati City Jail, shortly after Napoles’ surrender to President Benigno Aquino III on August 28.

From Camp Crame, Napoles was temporarily detained in the same city jail from August 29 to September 1, when she was transferred to Fort Sto Domingo in Sta Rosa, Laguna. – Rappler.com