SUMMARY
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A private lawyer asks the court to compel the disclosure: "There is no need to vet the list as Secretary De Lima has no right to add or subtract names"
MANILA, Philippines – The battle on whether to release the controversial list of government officials whom alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles supposedly transacted with has reached the Supreme Court (SC).
Lawyer Napoleon Arenas Jr filed on Monday, May 12, a petition for mandamus, asking the SC that a “judgment be rendered commanding respondent Secretary of Justice to publish in a manner appropriate and convenient under the circumstances and in the interest of the public the so called ‘Napolist.'”
In a phone interview, Arenas said that, as a matter of accountability and transparency to the public, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima should be forced to disclose the names on the list that Napoles submitted to her.
Arenas argued that “the most prudent thing to do” is “to publish the list and let the people decide on its veracity,” as if responding to De Lima’s statement that it woud be recklessness on her part to prematurely disclose the names without validation.
Arenas highlighted a comment made by another lawyer that “there is no need to vet the content of the list as Secretary de Lima has no right to add or subtract names in the list.”
“Actuations of public officials and expenditures of public funds are vested with public interest. Therefore, respondent is obligated to publish the contents of the list. She has no power and authority to withhold its publication as it violates the right of the public to access to public documents and information,” his petition read.
Arenas is the legal counsel for the Pangasinan Press Club.
Speculations
The list became the subject of speculation after de Lima bared to the public her 5-hour meeting with Napoles last April 21. De Lima confirmed that Napoles submitted to DOJ her first documented statement that detailed what she knows of the scam and a list she signed containing names of lawmakers she implicated.
At least 2 other persons have since claimed to have different versions of the list – former Senator Panfilo Lacson and former jueteng whistleblower Sandra Cam.
On Monday, the Senate compelled De Lima to submit the list to the chamber for its investigation in aid of legislation. De Lima said she would comply with the Senate’s wishes, despite an earlier pronouncement that she will appeal before the Senate should the body order the list disclosed.
For weeks after her initial April 21 meeting with Napoles, De Lima kept mum on the content of Napoles’ testimony and the names on the list that the alleged mastermind submitted.
Prior to the meeting, Napoles was seen as the brains behind the illegal fund diversion. She has since denied this.
De Lima earlier said there might be details about the scam that only Napoles knows, making her testimony crucial in putting together the bigger picture. (READ: DOJ: Some solons may have dealt directly with Napoles)
Lacson also said he would submit to the DOJ the list Napoles’ family provided him. – Rappler.com
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