By Czarina Nicole Ong
Pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy revealed Thursday that he transferred government funds to the United States accounts of his former boss, Janet Lim Napoles.
MB FILE -- Pork Barrel Scam suspect Janet Lim Napoles is seen as she appears for the continuation of the bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan Third Division in Quezon City, June 5, 2015, as primary witness Benhur Luy is seen at the witness stand. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
During the graft trial of Napoles and her co-accused former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla before the Sandiganbayan First Division, Luy had revealed how they transferred the funds through telegraphic transfer.
"Pinapa-telegraphic po naming sa US sakanyang accounts (We send it through telegraphic transfer to her US accounts)," he said.
Luy’s statement came after Napoles, her three children, and brother and sister-in-law were indicted in California for international and domestic money laundering Tuesday.
However, in an ambush interview after the hearing on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, Luy said: “No comment.”
He was further asked if he will serve as witness to Napoles' indictment in the US, but he replied: “Hindi ako (I am not) allowed to speak anything about that.”
Luy added that he is concentrating on his testimony before the Sandiganbayan, where Napoles is standing trial for five plunder cases and several other graft charges with former senators and lawmakers.
He will return to the anti-graft court next Tuesday as Revilla's plunder and graft trial continues.
The US Department of Justice said Tuesday, Napoles, and five other defendants – her children Jo Napoles, James Napoles, Jeane Napoles, her brother Reynald Lim and his wife Ana – allegedly diverted some $20 million Philippine government funds intended to benefit poor Filipinos.
Prosecutors say the money was used to purchase assets in the US, including property and luxury vehicles.
Napoles et al are facing money laundering and conspiracy charges. Officials are working to have the defendants extradited to the US from the Philippines. (With a report from AP)
MB FILE -- Pork Barrel Scam suspect Janet Lim Napoles is seen as she appears for the continuation of the bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan Third Division in Quezon City, June 5, 2015, as primary witness Benhur Luy is seen at the witness stand. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
During the graft trial of Napoles and her co-accused former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla before the Sandiganbayan First Division, Luy had revealed how they transferred the funds through telegraphic transfer.
"Pinapa-telegraphic po naming sa US sakanyang accounts (We send it through telegraphic transfer to her US accounts)," he said.
Luy’s statement came after Napoles, her three children, and brother and sister-in-law were indicted in California for international and domestic money laundering Tuesday.
However, in an ambush interview after the hearing on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, Luy said: “No comment.”
He was further asked if he will serve as witness to Napoles' indictment in the US, but he replied: “Hindi ako (I am not) allowed to speak anything about that.”
Luy added that he is concentrating on his testimony before the Sandiganbayan, where Napoles is standing trial for five plunder cases and several other graft charges with former senators and lawmakers.
He will return to the anti-graft court next Tuesday as Revilla's plunder and graft trial continues.
The US Department of Justice said Tuesday, Napoles, and five other defendants – her children Jo Napoles, James Napoles, Jeane Napoles, her brother Reynald Lim and his wife Ana – allegedly diverted some $20 million Philippine government funds intended to benefit poor Filipinos.
Prosecutors say the money was used to purchase assets in the US, including property and luxury vehicles.
Napoles et al are facing money laundering and conspiracy charges. Officials are working to have the defendants extradited to the US from the Philippines. (With a report from AP)