Malacañang downplayed allegations that President Rodrigo Duterte was involved in the recent acquittal of Pork Barrel Queen Janet Lim Napoles in her serious illegal detention case filed by former right-hand man and PDAF scam principal whistleblower Benhur Luy.
“Government is clear that there is no policy shift on how we deal with Napoles. Neither there is an agreement forged between the Duterte administration and Napoles,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement quoted by ABS-CBN.
Abella further explained that Duterte respects the autonomy of the court and “has vowed not to interfere with the decisions of the judiciary or legislature.”
The Makati Regional Trial Court recently upturned a ruling that sentenced Napoles to life imprisonment for the illegal detention of Benhur Luy and ordered for her immediate release.
Despite this ruling, Janet Napoles faces other non-bailable cases in connection to the pork barrel fund scam.
The Court of Appeals’ decision was made two months after Solicitor General Jose Calida claimed a local court “erred” in giving a guilty verdict on the alleged pork barrel mastermind in her serious illegal detention case.
Earlier this year, Duterte supported Calida’s call to acquit Napoles of her serious illegal detention case.
“I think he’s right. I agree with the — because your job even if you are a prosecutor — I’ve done that several times. I myself would move for the dismissal of the case,” Duterte said.
Luy, who was Napoles’ former aid, accused her of detaining him inside a retreat house run by priests close to her.
Photo credit: Inquirer File Photo/Raffy Lerma
