MANILA, Philippines – Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Napoles still has in her possession documents that are mostly handwritten and collated through the years.

“Hindi siya red book, hindi siya ledger. It’s pieces of paper that she collated through the years,” said Napoles counsel and spokesman Bruce Rivera. (It’s not a red book or a ledger.) 

Unlike principal whistleblower Benhur Luy’s digital files — copies of which were submitted by the National Bureau of Investigation to the Senate – Napoles’ documents are mostly handwritten, Rivera said in a phone interview Friday, June 6. 

These documents can help government pin down other lawmakers in the scam. “That’s what we’re saying: may iba pa. Hindi namin alam kung fifile-an o hindi. If they decide to file, willing naman kaming tumulong but how can we be of help when they say that we’re the most guilty?” 

(There are others implicated in the scam. We don’t know if they’ll be indicted or not. If they decide to file a case, we’re willing to help.)

The notes, added Rivera, are “coded.” “There are codes there, she knows her documents. Even her family would not be able to understand some of the codes.”

These documents related to the scam are ready, and hidden in a safe location, said Rivera. And they can back the claims she made in her affidavit.

More time

The documents were gathered, sorted and indexed during Napoles’ stay at the Ospital ng Makati. They will not be able to release these documents if government says it does not need her as a state witness or if she is believed to be the most guilty.

“We’re not saying that we are not helping [but] we won’t release the evidence. That’s the only way for Mrs Napoles to protect herself,” said Rivera in a mix of English and Filipino. 

Napoles was transferred to the hospital from her Laguna detention center to undergo surgery to remove a mass in her uterus. During her stay in the hospital, Napoles met with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and indicated she wanted to turn state witness and was willing to “tell all.”

It was a turnaround from the Napoles last seen by the public, who claimed she knew nothing about the scam during a Senate inquiry. 

Rivera explained it’s also why they asked De Lima to “give them more time” to prepare the documents. Napoles’ camp asked a Makati court to extend her stay in the hospital, but it was denied. She was whisked back to Laguna on May 29.

Since they moved back to Laguna, Rivera said it’s “back to square one” in sorting the documents.

Willing to help

The Napoles camp said that even if they’ve been told that she appears to be among the “most guilty of all respondents” in the pork barrel scam, they’re still willing to help the government.

How they’re going to help remains unclear, however, said Rivera. “Hindi nga namin alam in what capacity because it’s the government who should say how.” (We don’t know how we’ll be able to help.)

On Thursday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales junked Napoles’ bid to seek immunity from the pork barrel scam case.

“With regards to the 3 senators, [the Ombudsman is saying] they already have enough. We’re not being asked to submit. So for us, that means they don’t need our help anymore,” added Rivera, referring to Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla.

All 3, along with Napoles, face plunder charges. Napoles is currently under detention for the serious illegal detention charges filed by pork scam whistleblower Benhur Luy.

More lawmakers are guilty

In two affidavits submitted to De Lima, Napoles implicated more than 100 lawmakers in the multi-million peso scam. Her affidavit includes individuals who have not been indicted for graft and plunder by the Ombudsman. (READ: The tale of two Napoles affidavits)

“[Pero] hindi naman kami makakapag-submit kasi wala naman silang kaso. What will we do, submit that before the Sandiganbayan? Do we go there and say we’re filing a case against Congressman so and so?” said Rivera. (But we can’t submit documents to pin them because they’re not being sued.)

Rappler’s close study of Napoles’ affidavit — which was submitted to De Lima and the Senate – reveals it favors Enrile, Estrada and Revilla. – Rappler.com