By Jelly Musico
MANILA, (PNA) -– Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero on Wednesday opposed a suggestion to grant immunity to Janet Lim Napoles, saying the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam is not the least guilty in the case filed before the Ombudsman.
”Personally, I’m not in favor. First the case was filed already in (sic) the Ombudsman. It would be unlikely that she is the least guilty,” Escudero said.
Earlier, Sen. Serge Osmena III said the Senate may grant immunity from prosecution to Napoles to convince her to tell all she knows about the pork barrel scam.
”It’s up to the Senate (blue ribbon) committee to decide, but this immunity needs blessing of the court. It’s not only the decision of the Senate,” Escudero stressed.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, clarified that if the Senate blue ribbon committee decides to offer immunity, it should not be immunity from prosecution but from the testimonies she would give when she appears in the Senate inquiry on November 7.
”It means that whatever statement she would give in the Senate will not be used in the court against her,” Drilon explained.
Drilon said it’s up to the Senate blue ribbon committee chaired by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III to decide whether to offer Napoles as state witness.
Drilon finally signed last Monday the subpoena issued by the Senate blue ribbon, ordering Napoles to appear before the Senate blue ribbon investigation.
The Makati Regional Trial Court (MRTC) where Napoles is facing a separate case of serious illegal detention has allowed Napoles to attend the Senate inquiry.