Napoles appeals transfer to Correctional, cites threats to life

MANILA, Philippines — Businesswoman and plunder convict Janet Lim Napoles asked the Sandiganbayan to reconsider her transfer to the Correctional Institute for Women citing "grave threats" to her life.

The Sandiganbayan’s First Division on December 7 found Napoles—believed to be the brains behind the multi-billion pork barrel scam—guilty of plunder and sentenced her to a maximum of 40 years of imprisonment. Napoles’ lawyer, Stephen David, said they would appeal the ruling.

Alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, through her lawyers, prayed to the Sandiganbayan to allow her to remain at the BJMP Female Dormitory at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig while she appeals her conviction on plunder. | @marcelo_beth pic.twitter.com/9MBIkXZ48e

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) December 10, 2018

On the same day, the court ordered Napoles’ transfer to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.

The STAR reported that Napoles, on Monday, filed a very urgent motion for reconsideration on the anti-graft court’s order to transfer to Correctional Institute for Women from Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Napoles, in her appeal to the court, cited “grave threats to her life and security.” She said that during her previous detention at the Correctional, Napoles already experienced threats.

She asked the court “for security purposes and humanitarian reasons” to allow her to be detained at Camp Bagong Diwa “which is a more secured premise,” pending the finality of the court’s decision.

In the same ruling, the Sandiganbayan acquitted former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. due to the prosecution’s failure to prove the former lawmaker’s liability beyond reasonable doubt.

The court, meanwhile, found Revilla’s aide, Richard Cambe, guilty. Cambe, like Napoles, is facing reclusion perpetua as punishment.

The Sandiganbayan ordered Cambe’s transfer to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Revilla, meanwhile, walked free on Friday afternoon after posting bail worth P480,000, for the 16 counts of graft in connection with the pork barrel scam. — Kristine Joy Patag with reports from The STAR/Elizabeth Marcelo