By NICOLE ONG
The Sandiganbayan First Division has junked a petition filed by alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to be transferred to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Napoles was provisionally admitted into the WPP on Feb. 27.
In her petition, she cited the provisions of R.A. 6981, also known as the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act, which states that state witnesses should be secured until he or she has testified.
At the same time, Napoles said she is entitled to have a secure housing facility until the threat, intimidation or harassment against her person disappears or is at least reduced.
But in a five-page resolution promulgated on April 5, the court denied her motion for lack of merit.
“To place accused Napoles into the custody of the WPP despite being presently under detention for a lawful cause is contrary to the clear and express import of Article IX, Section 1 of the IRR of R.A. 6981,” the resolution read.
“Notably, the said provision does not admit of any exception. Verily, the denial of the instant motion is warranted under the premises,” it added.
The resolution was penned by Associate Justice Efren de La Cruz and concurred by Associate Justices Geraldine Faith Econg and Edgardo Caldona.
