Guevarra: Napoles' youngest, Jeane Catherine left Philippines last week

MANILA, Philippines — The youngest daughter of Janet Lim-Napoles, Jeane Catherine, has left the country on July 27, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Friday.

Last July 31 (US time), the US federal grand jury indicted Janet and five of her relatives—including Jeane Catherine, her two other children Jo Christine and James Christopher, and her brother Reynaldo and his wife Ana Marie—on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, domestic money laundering and international money laundering.

Guevarra told reporters that, according to the data provided by the Bureau of Immigration, Jeane Catherine fled the country last week. No other detail about her flight was given.

“The rest are still in the Philippines,” the justice chief added.

Guevarra earlier explained that Janet’s co-accused who are not facing cases before Philippine courts may be extradited—should a request come in—to the US.

“Should the US request their extradition, and they are not facing any court cases here, we will evaluate and commence the appropriate proceedings,” Guevarra added.

Janet is facing a string of cases at the Sandiganbayan over her involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam. She is being held at the Camp Bagong Diwa detention center in Taguig City.

Jo Christine and James Christopher are also facing cases at the anti-graft court.

Guevarra was quoted in The STAR report that one of the two legal options for the Philippines is to “surrender her temporarily to the US authorities so that her trial for money laundering could be completed in the US.”

While the Immigration could not immediately specify Jeane Catherine’s current whereabouts, Guevarra said that since the indictment has been made by the US court, “the US government has ways of tracking down the defendants anywhere, including tapping the assistance of the Interpol.”

The Justice chief also stressed that while his department has no power to “restrain the travel of persons of interests, especially if they are not facing investigation here,” the DOJ will extend its assistance if US courts make a formal request.

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However, Guevarra said that only a conviction by a US court can start the process of return of assets to the Philippines.

Napoles and her kin were indicted for allegedly wiring $20 million stolen from the Philippines and deposited to bank accounts in Southern California. The money was believed to be used to purchase real estate, shares business, two Porsche Boxsters and finance the living expenses of three family members.