Napoles Enters No Plea

Alleged mastermind of controversial pork ‘barrel’ scam and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles on Monday refused to enter any plea over the serious illegal detention charges against her filed by scam whistleblower.

Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 entered a not guilty plea for Napoles. Napoles was brought to court from her detention quarters at the Fort Sto. Domingo, Laguna to attend her scheduled arraignment wearing a bulletproof vest, a helmet and with heavy guards.

An arraignment is a process where the charges against the accused are read to him or her and he or she is given an opportunity to plead guilty or not of the charges. The accused may also refuse to enter any plea and the court automatically enters a not guilty plea on his or her behalf.

Some 20 personnel from the Makati police were deployed to man the 14th floor of the city hall where the courtroom is located, Gma news online reported.

Napoles reportedly arrived at Makati City Hall shortly after 1 p.m., an hour after leaving Fort Sto. Domingo. She initially stayed at the Makati RTC Branch 150 office while waiting for her 1:30 p.m. arraignment

The Media waiting for Napoles were surprised to see her rushing from the fire exit instead of coming out from the elevator as advised by the police. Napoles reportedly went to the 14th floor through the fire exit after her guards mistakenly brought her to the 15th floor, Gma news online said.

Reports said Napoles’ lawyer, Lorna Kapunan has said they did not enter any plea as they still have petitions pending before the Court of Appeals. “Sabi ng Judge since nandito na si Napoles (ay) ituloy na ang arraignment. Ang sabi namin hindi kami pwedeng mag-plead ng guilty or not guilty dahil merong mga kaso sa Court of Appeals,” she said.

Napoles’ lawyer was referring to their pending petition questioning the issuance of warrant of arrest as well as the Department of Justice resolution finding probable cause against Napoles and her brother Reynald Lim in the serious illegal detention case.

Attorney Kapunan said they will be filing a motion before the high court requesting for a transfer of the venue before Friday when the Makati court hears their motion for bail. “Magpa-file kami ng appropriate motion para magdesisyon ang SC kung ano ba talaga ang best interest hindi lang ng accused pero ng gobyerno natin. Napakalaking gastos nito sa resources,” she said.

Kapunan also added they will also be filing a motion waiving the appearance of Napoles in the next court hearing. “May right ang accused na i- waive ang appearance, iwe-waive na lang namin sa next hearing.”

Kapunan has told the media that Alameda ordered the prosecution to provide a list of the witnesses they will be presenting during the bail hearing. “Sinabi ni Judge, kung talagang ready ang prosecution dapat ibigay nila yung listahan ng kanilang witnesses. Walo daw ang witnesses nila versus sa 17 namin,” Kapunan said.

Napoles and Lim are accused of detaining their cousin and her former employee Benhur Luy for three months. Napoles surrendered to Pnoy shortly after Malacanang announced its reward, while Lim is still at large.

The prosecution is scheduled to present its witnesses and evidence in the marathon bail hearings on Friday, September 27, during the 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. sessions. The prosecution has said they have at least eight witnesses to present to the court.

Last week, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed plunder and malversation charges against Napoles, who allegedly conspired with lawmakers and former and present government officials in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Source: Gma news online