MANILA, Philippines – It has been a long, controversial year for high-profile lawyer Lorna Kapunan. Known to many as legal counsel to the stars, Kapunan this year took on the role of counsel to alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles in her serious illegal detention case.

But Kapunan, who withdrew as Napoles’ counsel on the last day of bail hearings, says she has no regrets. “I’m more sad about giving it up then taking it,” she told Rappler on Thursday, December 12.

Kapunan also pressed libel charges against Rappler multimedia reporter Natashya Gutierrez and several other journalists in behalf of Napoles. She has since also withdrawn as the lead counsel in the libel suits.

More than a month after she resigned as lead counsel, Kapunan only has kind, even promising, words for Napoles. “She can be the worst villain or the best hero this country can have,” she said.

Hello, goodbye Janet

Napoles wasn’t even in Kapunan’s radar prior to the serious illegal detention case, she said. Kapunan only knew the now-controversial figure as one of the Red Cross’ biggest anonymous donors.

In the last few months, though, Napoles would seldom be seen without Kapunan by her side. After her detention, Kapunan served as her communication line to the media and the outside world.

“I think there’s some destiny there, somewhere. If I did not accept her initially…as they would say, namatay na sa kangkungan ng kasaysayan. But the fact that I vigorously defended her at the same time condemned the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund), people started listening and saying: Why did Kapunan accept this case? Is there more to it?” she said.

She hit media for “unfair” reports on Napoles, lamented the “inhumane” conditions in Napoles’ Laguna detention facility, and even delivered food to her while detained at the Makati City Jail.

Kapunan’s parting with Napoles was swift – over differences in strategy, she said. The infamous figure, said Kapunan, chose the strategy of another lawyer, Alfredo Villamor.

Villamor was the legal counsel for JLN Corporation, Napoles’ flagship business and was mentioned in the testimonies of witnesses in the serious illegal detention case.

“I’m more concerned about her now because there doesn’t to be concerted legal effort in giving her advice,” she added. Kapunan earlier said her resignation as lead counsel proves “too many cooks spoil the broth.”

“It is not true that I regret accepting the case. It showed what matters is the strength you derive from a clear conscience. My conscience is clear and my intentions were pure. I had hope,” said Kapunan.

In the end, the defense only presented one witness in the bail hearing, contrary to initial plans of presenting at least 5. Napoles’ bail motion was eventually junked by a Makati court late November.

‘Face of the enemy’

Kapunan believes it is best for Napoles to turn state witness. “I still feel she is key,” said Kapunan.

It is the same opinion Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has, although Kapunan admits she doesn’t “agree with [Santiago’s] language.” “[Napoles] cannot be the mastermind [of PDAF]. She is only a high school graduate,” added Kapunan.

Napoles, contrary to what the public thinks, is the not the most guilty in the pork barrel scam, she said. “I saw Napoles as a Chinaman financier, 5-6. In this country nothing moves without somebody advancing, and that’s how I saw her. And that’s how she saw herself.”

Napoles, says Kapunan, should or could have been a “spark.”

“Napoles is one little candle, it created sparks. We saw a million in Luneta [during the Million People March]. But if there’s no change within, it’s going to be a picnic,” she added.

She also emphasized that Napoles isn’t the only one who should face jail time for the pork barrel scam. “Media perpetuates this tale that Napoles is the mastermind. It will be a sad day when she’s the only one who will go to jail,” she added.

But Kapunan understands the public’s hate – even outrage against her and her former client. “It is the call of the times. People need a face for their enemy. It’s easier to fight an enemy with a face. Sadly, she became that face and so did I,” she said. – Rappler.com