Verdict on Napoles' illegal detention case out April 14

MANILA, Philippines - A Makati City court has set the promulgation of its verdict on the illegal detention case filed against alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

In a one-page order dated January 26, Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 scheduled the promulgation on April 14 at 1:30 p.m.

Napoles is presently detained at the female dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Aside fro the serious illegal detention case filed abgainst her by Benhur Luy, Napoles is also facing plunder cases before the Sandiganbayan over the pork barrel fund scam.

Last October 3, defense lawyers presented in court Abelardo Hernales, the secretary of a Roman Catholic monsignor who had lived at a house reportedly owned by Napoles.

Hernales testified that Luy had stayed for “solitude” at the house which is also known as “Bahay ni San Jose.”

The house located at 52 Lapu Lapu Street inside the posh Magallanes Village was allegedly where Luy was illegally detained on Napoles’ orders. The house is also used by several Chinese priests who are reportedly friends of the businesswoman.

According to Hernales, he saw Luy brought to the house on December 2012 by Reynald Lim, who is Napoles’ brother and co-accused in the case.

Hernales said that Ramirez told him Luy will be temporarily staying at the house for "solitude."

Hernales told the court that during his stay at the “Bahay ni San Jose,” Luy would spend time reading the Bible or writing on his notebook. Hernales added that he saw Reynald Lim fetch Luy from the house to go out several times during his stay.

Napoles’ lawyers earlier presented in court two security officers from the Pacific Plaza Towers condominium who testified that they heard Luy telling agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who were there to rescue him on the night of March 22, 2013 that he was not kidnapped by Reynald Lim and that he refused to go with them.

Napoles' lawyer Bruce Rivera had told reporters that they are prepared to present a total of 18 witnesses, including several Chinese priests to prove that Luy was not illegally detained at the "Bahay ni San Jose."