Janet, Benhur face off at Senate today

MANILA, Philippines - Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim- Napoles is expected to face off with her accusers led by Benhur Luy at today’s resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the controversy.

Barring any untoward incident including inclement weather, the hearing will commence at 10 a.m., according to committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III.

Also summoned by the committee to attend the hearing, apart from Napoles and Luy, are Luy’s mother Gertrudes, Marina Sula, Merlina Suñas, Simmonette Briones, and Mary Arlene Baltazar.

The Senate security office has coordinated with the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) for special security preparations for Napoles’ trip to and from the Senate as well as for her appearance before the senators.

The security preparations included a simulated transfer from the SAF facility in Fort Sto. Domingo to the Senate premises.

The session hall is expected to be packed with people from various sectors and political affiliations.

Senate physician Mariano Blancia said doctors would be on hand to respond to any medical emergency, noting that Napoles is diabetic and dependent on insulin.

Senate President Franklin Drilon made clear Napoles would be treated neither as an accused nor as a witness but as a “resource person” just like the others summoned.

Drilon said it remains to be seen whether Napoles will accept the Blue Ribbon’s offer to provide her with lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

Napoles had sought the postponement of the hearing, citing the lack of lawyers to represent her following the resignation of counsel Lorna Kapunan. The committee rejected her request.

Sen. Francis Escudero said Napoles cannot use as an excuse the lack of a lawyer for skipping the hearing.

“She can invoke that she needs a lawyer but it is not a requirement before a witness can testify before any committee at the Senate,” Escudero said.

He also said the Senate must study its options if Napoles starts invoking her right against self-incrimination.

Although the Senate can cite her for contempt, Escudero said Napoles is under the custody of the court. As such, Napoles cannot be detained at the Senate but should be returned to Fort Sto. Domingo.

Drilon refused to speculate whether Napoles would be squealing on other prominent individuals, including senators, with whom she had done business.

“Let’s just see what will happen,” said Drilon.

The Senate President earlier had to fend off accusations that he had transacted with Napoles or had been close to her.

Drilon, who is also a lawyer, expressed his reservation against the Blue Ribbon committee’s offer to provide PAO lawyers to Napoles.

He cited Section 14 of the Senate Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation which provides that “every witness shall be accorded the right of having a counsel of his own choice.”

Drilon also cited “Section 12 of the Bill of Rights where any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have a right… to have a competent and independent counsel preferably of his own choice.”

No fireworks

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, meanwhile, said she expects no fireworks today as Napoles is unlikely to divulge anything significant.

“She would probably answer the mundane questions but not the more material ones,” she told ANC’s Headstart in an interview. – With Paolo Romero, Jose Rodel Clapano