By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki
Businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles is still facing several graft and plunder charges before different divisions of the Sandiganbayan, so she earlier manifested before the anti-graft court that she wanted to be a part of the proceedings despite her national prisoner status.
Pork Barrel scam primary suspect Janet Lim-Napoles
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Napoles was convicted by the First Division last December 7 of plunder in the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) case against former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., so she was transferred to the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City on January 4. Because she is now a national prisoner, Napoles needs permission first from the SC before she can attend hearings in the Sandiganbayan. Otherwise, the trials will be held at the CIW. When the Sandiganbayan elevated this concern to the SC, the higher court ruled that Napoles be allowed to attend the hearings in the Sandiganbayan. But now, she filed a waiver of appearance before the First Division, stating "that she hereby waives her right to be present during the trial in the subject cases and the Court may, therefore, proceed with the trial even in my absence." "That she understands that the Court may proceed to hear the case without her presence," the waiver read. "That the accused however commits to appearing before this Court whenever so required by this Court." Napoles is still facing two other PDAF-related plunder charges before the Third and Fifth Divisions with former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, respectively.
Pork Barrel scam primary suspect Janet Lim-Napoles(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Napoles was convicted by the First Division last December 7 of plunder in the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) case against former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., so she was transferred to the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City on January 4. Because she is now a national prisoner, Napoles needs permission first from the SC before she can attend hearings in the Sandiganbayan. Otherwise, the trials will be held at the CIW. When the Sandiganbayan elevated this concern to the SC, the higher court ruled that Napoles be allowed to attend the hearings in the Sandiganbayan. But now, she filed a waiver of appearance before the First Division, stating "that she hereby waives her right to be present during the trial in the subject cases and the Court may, therefore, proceed with the trial even in my absence." "That she understands that the Court may proceed to hear the case without her presence," the waiver read. "That the accused however commits to appearing before this Court whenever so required by this Court." Napoles is still facing two other PDAF-related plunder charges before the Third and Fifth Divisions with former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, respectively.