Koko to file libel, perjury raps vs Napoles

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Suspected pork barrel fund scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles will be facing another set of charges next week courtesy of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

“I am ready to file libel and perjury charges against Janet Napoles next week,” Pimentel told reporters here during the 11th Disaster Risk Reduction and Multi-Hazard Awareness Forum organized by his office in coordination with the provincial government of Bulacan.

Pimentel has taken issue with Napoles for including him in the list of 20 senators and 100 congressmen allegedly involved in the scam.

He explained Napoles has no proof of his involvement in the scam.

“There was no proof. She mentioned my name in the list, it’s just one line. There wasn’t even any affidavit detailing who was the person that supposedly received my PDAF,” Pimentel said, referring to the Priority Development Assistance Fund, commonly known as pork barrel fund of lawmakers.

Pimentel said he never dealt with any of the non-government organizations created by Napoles or any other group.

“Not even a single cent of my PDAF went to Napoles NGO or any NGO,” he stressed.

When asked why he was included in the list, Pimentel suggested there might be an unseen hand trying to smear his name.

On the other hand, the camp of Napoles said they are ready to face Pimentel on the charges.

Napoles’ lawyer Bruce Rivera said the plan of Pimentel to file libel “is within his prerogative.”

“But we hope that Senator Pimentel would first await the narration of Mrs. Napoles regarding the transactions before he decides to file libel charge,” Rivera said. – With Edu Punay