Kapunan: I did not abandon Napoles

MANILA, Philippines -Lawyer Lorna Kapunan denied that she abandoned Janet Lim Napoles when she resigned as lead counsel of the alleged pork barrel scam mastermind in all her cases.

In an interview on ANC on Monday morning, Kapunan reiterated that she resigned as Napoles' lead counsel due to differences in opinion with Atty. Freddie Villamor, the other lawyer of Napoles.

She also denied that Napoles asked or pressured her to quit as lead counsel.

"We resigned out of our own free will," Kapunan said.

"We don't want it seen that as a lawyer, we abandoned our client. The choice of strategy was discussed by her and by (our team) and we voluntarily said 'That's not the way we wanna go,'" she also said.

Read: Kapunan quits as Napoles lawyer in detention case | Lorna also drops Janet plunder case

Kapunan said she does not support Villamor's legal strategy, which Napoles chose, thinking that it would bring her out of detention.

She said Villamor's law firm really knows Napoles and her family, the whistle-blowers and the workings of the foundations of the businesswoman.

In contrast, Kapunan said they only met Napoles last July.

"We have not left our client here. We have turned her over to her lawyers who, at this moment, she's more comfortable with," Kapunan said.

The popular lawyer said her decision to resign as Napoles' lead counsel was not a result of a disagreement with her client nor was it an attempt to "belittle the efforts" of Villamor's law firm.

"I have not given up on any client. But this is a situation where the client has to choose between going my way or going their way," said Kapunan.

She added that when they don't have control of the legal strategy, they lose their effectiveness as lawyers.

"This serious illegal kidnapping case was a test case for how too many cooks spoil the broth or how you only need one conductor to conduct a symphony or an orchestra," Kapunan said.

Kapunan denied that she left Napoles since the businesswoman allegedly can no longer pay her.

Kapunan also dismissed claims that she was pressured to quit by lawmakers and government officials embroiled in the controversy.

"We have pressure for breakfast, lunch and dinner so it's not a factor."

Now that she is no longer Napoles' lead counsel, Kapunan said the "more prudent thing" to do is to keep quiet and give the businesswoman time and space to discuss her strategy with the new set of lawyers.

"I am hoping that the lawyers who will continue to handle her, will hold her to her promise to me that she will come out to tell the truth," she said.

But Kapunan is not considering working with Villamor's group: "I' don't think I can collaborate with their group, at all."

Napoles is scheduled to appear and testify at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on November 7.

Asked if she will still watch the hearing, Kapunan answered "with popcorn."

"We don't want to win this battle. We want to win this war. We're really out for an acquittal," she earlier said. - Louis Bacani