DOJ seeks dismissal of qualified theft case vs Luy

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) The Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking the dismissal of the qualified theft case against pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy, saying it was a “deliberate bastardization of the law” by alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

“It appears that complainant Napoles merely instituted the instant case as a leverage against respondent Luy, as the latter filed his own complaint for illegal detention against her,” a DOJ resolution read.

The DOJ filed on Monday, May 5, a motion to withdraw information seeking the dismissal by Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang of Luy’s case pending before the trial court. The motion was signed by Assistant Prosecutor Mark Roland Estepa.

Luy’s scheduled arraignment before the Pasig RTC on Thursday morning, May 8, was postponed to August 20 as a result of the DOJ’s motion. The case stems from Napoles’ accusation that Luy took the P300,000 she asked to be deposited in her bank account.

The justice department’s move to withdraw Luy’s case was based on its resolution dated April 28 reversing the finding of probable cause against Luy.

In its April 28 resolution, the justice department set aside the Pasig City prosecutor’s go signal to file Luy’s qualified theft case before the court. The document – also signed by Estepa and approved by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano – granted Luy’s motion for reconsideration (MR).

“The undersigned finds it appalling that complainant Napoles as assisted by her counsel, could manipulate legal processes in order to intimidate and/or harass respondent Luy, and in the process make him answer for a non-bailable offense,” the DOJ resolution read.

The pork barrel scam, a scheme diverting lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to bogus projects of fake non-governmental organizations associated with Napoles, was revealed by Luy.

Luy was allegedly illegally detained by Napoles and her brother Reynald Lim, until NBI authorities rescued the whistleblower.

Now the principal state witness in the PDAF scam cases, Luy is under the custody of the DOJ Witness Protection Program. As a state witness, he enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution over the PDAF scam.

De Lima had earlier said she was not closing the door to Napoles being a state witness, after she promised to tell everything she knew of the corruption scandal.

Napoles met with De Lima in her hospital room on the evening of April 21 and submitted the list of lawmakers she transacted with. The names on the list are being kept confidential by De Lima, despite certain quarters asking for disclosure.

De Lima earlier said there might be details about the scam known only to Napoles, making her testimony crucial in piecing together the bigger picture.