NEWS

Janet Napoles Surrenders to President Aquino in Malacañang?

An official statement of Secretary Edwin Lacierda on the surrender of Janet Napoles to President Aquino has been published on the official gazette of the Republic of the Philippines late Wednesday.

"At 9:37 p.m on August 28, Janet Napoles surrendered to President Aquino," it said.

Related Story: Napoles mug shots released to public

President Ninoy Aquino purportedly turned her over to the custody of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and Philippine National Police(PNP) Director-General Alan Purisima for processing and booking.

According to Roxas, Napoles and her husband were picked up by authorities at an undisclosed location and were brought to Malacañang to meet with the President. Roxas said Napoles and the President had a brief exchange that lasted for about 10 minutes before she was turned over to the DILG and PNP.

Janet Napoles, tagged as the mastermind of the Php10-billion pork barrel scam (PDAF), went into hiding after DOJ issued a warrant of arrest for serious illegal detention arising from the alleged kidnapping of pork barrel scam whistleblower, Benhur Luy.

The unsuccessful manhunt of Napoles triggered Malacañang to announce a Php10-million bounty to anyone who could tell the whreabouts of the fugitive businesswoman. But merely a day from the said declaration, Napoles made a surprise surrender to President Aquino.

Netizens all over the social networking sites are also asking if there's a political conspiracy behind this incident and who shall benefit the Php10-million bounty now that Napoles voluntarily turned herself over to the authorities.

How about your opinions peeps?

Related posts: Napoles owns more than 28 houses and condos in Metro Manila and Provinces

Update#1: According to a report of ABS-CBN news, Napoles’ legal counsel, Atty. Lorna Kapunan said her client  decided to surrender in fear of her personal safety following the P10-million reward offered by Malacañang for her immediate arrest. Kapunan also said Napoles' brother Reynald Lim, who is also wanted for serious illegal detention in connection with the Luy case, is also planning to surrender to authorities soon.

Related Story: Napoles mug shots released to public

Update#2: PDI news noted additional statements of Kapunan:

“There are really people who want to keep her silent permanently,” Kapunan said. “Therefore now is the right time. Ang sinasabi niya naman ay wala naman siyang tinatago (She said she has nothing to hide anyway),” she added.

In an interview, Kapunan said she advised the Napoles family to trust Aquino(ABS-CBN news). "(Napoles' family) asked me what was the best option, and I said, 'We have to trust in someone, and I think (that's) the President," the attorney said.

On Rumored State Witness

From the special report of ABS-CBNnews.com, President Aquino clarified that Janet Napoles should face all the charges filed against her before the government will consider turning her into a state witness against those involved in the multi-billion pork barrel scam.

"Yung pagiging state witness pag-aaralan 'yan pero importante muna ay may warrant of arrest kailangan ma-serve ng executive itong warrant of arrest," President Aquino said.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that there are certain conditions in order to become a state witness, including being the least guilty in a case. The Chief Justice added that Napoles is still far from being considered to become a state witness.

"Sa ngayon hindi pa namin 'yan sineseryosong kino-consider but we cannot really rule out that possibility. There is always that possibility pero hindi pa ho namin talaga 'yan kino-consider. At alam n'yo naman po na mayroong mga elements or requirements or conditions bago ang isang akusado, or bago ang isang respondent na i-consider na isang state witness."

On the other hand, prosecutors are targeting to file the first batch of cases in two weeks time against Janet Napoles and possibly including lawmakers. The perpetrators of the pork barrel scam may face plunder charges but that it would still be subject to "further evaluation" by NBI's legal team review by the Office of the Ombudsman, according to the Chief Justice.

Related Story: Napoles mug shots released to public

Update #3: Roxas says 10M bounty for Janet Napoles is withdrawn, according to Jacque Manabat of ABS-CBN news.

Update #4: Roxas: No 'special treatment' for Napoles -- There was no "special treatment" on how authorities took custody of fugitive businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, Interior Sec. Mar Roxas said early Thursday. Roxas also said there were no deals made with Napoles in exchange for her surrender other than guaranteeing her safety amid alleged security threats(ABS-CBN news). As a proof, President Aquino reportedly accompanied Napoles to Camp Crame.

Update #5: On Security measures of Janet Napoles

This is how Janet Napoles is being secured by authorities in camp crame. Fully-armored Special Action Force(SAF) personnel guarded the entrance and hallway of the building.

Update #7: Mar Roxas stated that the bounty for Janet's brother, who is still at large, remains active.

Update#8: GMA network news published the details of President Aquino and Napoles meeting at Heritage Park, a cemetery in Taguig.