MANILA, Philippines – How much does it cost to keep alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles detained?

In the 9 months since she surrendered, at least P1.41 million (US$32,125.78) based on previous data provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Watch this report below.

The breakdown is roughly as follows:

• 7 months inside Fort Sto Domingo x P150,000 = P1,050,000
• 3 “full-scale” transfers from Laguna to Metro Manila and back x P120,000 = P360,000

Legislators in the past have criticized the high cost of keeping Napoles jailed. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago in March suggested that Napoles observe a “pay-for-stay” program. (READ: Miriam: Napoles should pay for ‘rock star’ jail status)

In contrast, Santiago said, it costs around P1,612 (US$36.7) monthly to keep regular prisoners detained.  

Sto Domingo costs

PNP Public Information Office head Chief Superintendent Theodore Sindac previously confirmed it costs approximately P150,000 a month to detain Napoles at Fort Sto Domingo, a PNP Special Action Force camp in Laguna.

Napoles was moved to Fort Sto Domingo almost 9 months ago on September 1, 2013.

Her last two months under detention, however, were spent at the Ospital ng Makati. In the hospital, Napoles underwent complete hysterectomy to remove a mass in her uterus. During a hearing at a Makati court, OsMak medical director Dr Perry Peralta that Napoles’ hospital bill had reached P105,000 as of May 15.

Her stay at OsMak was paid for by Napoles herself, as ordered by the court.

‘Full scale’ transfers

But even before she was confined at OsMak, Napoles found herself whisked back and forth from Laguna to Manila several times:

• When she was summoned by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee
  
• For the arraignment for her serious illegal detention case
  
• When she underwent a medical check-up a Camp Crame
  
• For an emergency appearance at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150
  
• Her transfer to OsMak 
  

Sindac said “full-scale” transfers of the controversial figure cost around P120,000 per trip, covering security procedures conducted before her actual transfer.

Typically, moving Napoles from Laguna to Metro Manila involves several PNP units: from the Region 4-A police, the Highway Patrol Group, the PNP SAF, to local units that cover the area she’s being moved to.

“Full-scale” transfers involve around 100 people and 20 vehicles all in all, Sindac said.

Several of her trips out of Fort Sto Domingo, such as the emergency appearance at the Makati RTC, an emergency trip to the Southern Luzon Medical Center, and her move to OsMak itself seemed to involve less personnel than usual. Sindac estimated only 3 of her trips were “full-scale.”

Napoles was returned to Laguna on Thursday, May 29, following a court order.

Since Napoles still needs post-operative care, her attending physicians will have to visit her in Laguna to conduct check-ups. 

Napoles is detained for allegedly kidnapping former aide turned pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy. She is also accussed of pocketing millions of pesos in pork barrel funds through fake projects and bogus non-governmental organizations.

During her stay in the hospital, Napoles was able to meet with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, whom she told she was willing to “tell all” in the hope of being admitted as state witness. – Rappler.com