MANILA, Philippines – On her 50th birthday, Janet Lim Napoles didn’t party with well-heeled, politically influential friends like she used to.

She, who has been photographed in the company of senators – like Franklin Drilon, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla – was on the fourth month of her detention at Fort Sto Domingo in Laguna for allegedly detaining a trusted aide who would become a whislte blower on the pork barrel scam.

On Wednesday, January 15, Napoles got a visit from one of her favorite priests, her husband, two of her children, her other relatives other the one also wanted for the detention of aide Benhur Luy, and a friend – a total of 10 persons.

“It’s an ordinary day for the SAF (Special Action Force),” PNP Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said in a text message. Immediate relatives are allowed to visit 1-4:30 pm, while legal counsels, spiritual advisers, and medical representatives are allowed to come at any time of the day.

A few of these visitors, of course, have played interesting parts in the still unfolding drama that is the pork barrel scam. 

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the following came to visit on Napoles’ birthday: her husband Jaime Napoles; her children James and Christine; relatives John Lim, Ronald Lim, Ana Marie Lim, Cheryll Lim, and Jose Lim; and a certain Chery Jimenza. (Note: “Chery Jimenza” is the name given by the PNP. In affidavits related to the Pork Barrel scam, a “Cheryl Jimenea” is identified as a friend of Napoles’, and the person who set up a meeting with lawyer Alex Tan, who in turn ordered Napoles’ employees to implicate Luy in the scam.)

Napoles’ immediately family are infamous in their own right. Her daughter, Christine, withdrew her “nomination” as a partylist representative in Congress after the pork barrel scam made headlines. Even before backing out though, the Commission on Elections said Christine was ineligibe because she was not part of the original list submitted by the OFW Family Party List. 

Son James is an incorporator of several Napoles companies and was a business partner of many prominent personalities, including Revilla’s son. Napoles is known for using the names of family members, friends, and other close associates to cover up her businesses and properties. 

Her husband, now retired Maj Jaime Napoles of the Marines, was initially charged for failing to investigate the existence of dubious suppliers and his failure to explain the issuance of all 14 checks to his wife. He was however eventually dropped from the case for lack of probable evidence.

Father Peter Lavin, who stood as the defense’s sole witness during the hearing for Napoles’ bail plea, also visited Napoles on Wednesday.

Visitors are not allowed to bring Napoles food.

Napoles did not request for an extension in visiting hours, or for a party, according to the PNP SAF.

In August last year, Napoles surrendered to President Benigno Aquino III and has been detained since for serious illegal detention charges. Her brother Reynald Lim, who is also charged, is still at large. – Rappler.com