MANILA, April 22 (PNA) -- Businesswoman
Janet Napoles may have decided to spill the beans on her alleged involvement in
the P10-billion pork barrel scam, but she still remains an accused, Malacanang
said Tuesday.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in
a Palace media briefing on Tuesday said that President Benigno S. Aquino III
has already directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to evaluate Napoles’
testimony.
“Before meeting with Ms. Janet Napoles,
(Justice Secretary Leila de Lima) informed the President, and the President
just instructed her to listen to the testimony and evaluate,” Lacieda said.
Although, Napoles has requested to be
turned into a state-witness, Lacierda said there were still “no assurances” on
that possibility until after her testimony is evaluated.
“..Since she is willing to tell all—we
cannot close the door,” Lacierda said. “As part of the quest to search for the
truth, all avenues must be explored.”
“And for that reason, Secretary Leila de
Lima has made it very, very explicit that there are no assurances for her to
become a state witness,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lacierda also noted that
Napoles’ decision to speak up is a “significant development” in the
government’s quest to find the truth.
He however said that he had yet to mention
the specifics of the discussion between De Lima and Napoles besides the ones
already mentioned since De Lima has been “explicit” in not disclosing any
details to date.
“I think for the other details that have
not been disclosed previously, Secretary Leila de Lima would deem it proper not
to disclose any other details,” Lacierda said.
When asked why Napoles took so long to
finally decide to divulge what she knew, Lacierda cited De Lima saying that the
main reason was fear for her life and fear of her security. (PNA)
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