No more aircon for Napoles

MANILA, Philippines - Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles spent her first night at the Makati City Jail in an air-conditioned room in an air bed, away from the crowded female dormitory where her former house helper, whom she sent to jail, is being held for qualified theft.

But the luxury was short-lived. Jail officials removed the air conditioner at noon yesterday because it was noisy and emitted hot air. It was replaced with an electric fan.

Sources at the city jail also said Napoles was required to wear the yellow prison garb.

Napoles was still asleep when she was served lomi for breakfast at 10 a.m. yesterday.

Her menu for lunch was ginisang toge at tokwa (stir-fried bean sprouts with tofu); for dinner, it was misua soup with chicken and patola.

The budget for every inmate is P50 per day. It was not known if the high-value detainee ate her ration or if she lined up with other prisoners.

Jail officials declined to talk to reporters who were staked out at the jail entrance.

Napoles, the 104th female inmate, is reportedly being guarded by two female jail guards and two heavily armed Special Action Force troopers stationed outside her room. A squad of SAF was also deployed as back-up force to ensure security at the jail.

In a radio interview, lawyer Levito Baligod identified the detained househelp as Cadelina Domingo. She was charged by Napoles after she asked permission to go home last February.

Baligot said Domingo was intercepted at the guard house of the village and found with underwear, jacket and clothes amounting to P200,000. The helper is being tried on qualified theft charges.

Napoles enjoys concierge service

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) assailed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for giving Napoles “concierge service.”

In a statement, UNA secretary general Toby Tiangco said Napoles continues to enjoy privileges under the watch of the DILG.

“It’s not special treatment. It’s concierge service,” Tiangco stressed.

“Obviously, Napoles is still afforded the same privileges and treats under the care and watch of the DILG. Where in the world can you see a fugitive being welcomed in the Palace, escorted by the President, guarded by the national police 24/7, and has a Cabinet secretary for a spokesman?” he added.

Reports said Napoles was personally escorted by presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda and deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte to surrender to President Aquino.

Aquino himself and his escorts served as advance party to Camp Crame where Napoles was brought, not to the regular detention facility at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center.

Meanwhile, rights group Karapatan also hit the Aquino administration for giving special treatment to other high-profile inmates.

Karapatan said the Aquino government’s penchant for giving special treatment to high-profile rights violators and thieves is once again illustrated in the case of Napoles and former PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Rhodina Villanueva