MANILA, Philippines – Criticized for even considering the testimony of Janet Lim Napoles, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima said she is “not at all sleeping with the enemy.”
Seeking to dispel fears she’s lawyering for the alleged pork barrel scam queen, De Lima told reporters on Monday, May 19, it was unfair to accuse her of that when she decided to accept from Napoles the list of lawmakers she (Napoles) allegedly transacted with.
“If that is what people are trying to paint now, quite unfair sa akin eh trabaho ko yan na malaman ano katotohanan sa usapin na ito,” she said. (If that is [what] people [are] trying to paint now, [it’s] quite unfair to me because that is part of my job to know the truth behind this matter.)
The DOJ is tasked to prosecute the individuals involved in the illegal diversion of the lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to bogus projects of fake non-governmental organizations associated with Napoles.
Earlier Senator Escudero Francis “Chiz” asked if De Lima had a deal with Napoles, after the justice secretary went to Napoles’ hospital room on April 21 to listen to Napoles who was supposedly going to tell all that she knew about the pork barrel scam.
De Lima tagged as baseless Escudero’s claim. “… Walang basehan yung mga nag-aagam-agam na I’m practically lawyering for Ms Napoles or that I’m probably being used by Ms Napoles. Please, I don’t think anyone can use me. I don’t think anyone can influence me in the discharge of my mandate.”
(…Those doubts that I’m practically lawyering for Ms Napoles or that I’m probably being used by Ms Napoles are baseless. Please, I don’t think anyone can use me. I don’t think anyone can influence me in the discharge of my mandate.)
Napoles testimony is part of quest for truth
De Lima also appealed to the public to allow her to fulfill her duty, by listening to the testimony of the person who knows a lot about the biggest corruption scandal to hit the country in recent years. She assured the public she cannot be influenced in her truth-seeking mandate – not even by Napoles.
“At least give me that opportunity, give me enough space to fulfill my mandate which is truth-seeking. Di ibig sabihin kung kakausapin si Ms Napoles or kakausapin uli si Ms Napoles o kaya tatanggapin ko yung more comprehensive affidavit, di ibig sabihin na naniniwala na ako sa mga sinab ni Ms Napoles,” she said.
(At least give me that opportunity, give me enough space to fulfill my mandate which is truth-seeking. If we talk to Ms Napoles or talk again with Ms Napoles or accept her more comprehensive affidavit, it doesn’t mean we are believing what Ms Napoles is saying.)
Earlier, the justice secretary said it would be an “abdication” of her “duty as a truth-seeker” not to listen to Napoles. (READ: DOJ suspends judgment on Napoles testimony)
Security threats
De Lima also said security threats were among the factors that pushed Napoles to turn over her testimony to the DOJ.
Napoles’ testimony is yet to be completed, but the list of lawmakers she implicated was released ahead of her full narrative that could back up the list.
De Lima said it is best to wait for Napoles’ full affidavit to know exactly what she is accusing the lawmakers in her list of. (READ: De Lima: Guingona’s release of ‘Napolist’ imprudent) – Rappler.com
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