By Azer Parrocha
MANILA, (PNA) — Alleged pork barrel mastermind, Janet Napoles, may use her poor health as an excuse to skip the Senate probe next month, but a senator has one solution to still have her say — subpoena a written testimony.
Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said in a press briefing that by issuing a subpoena to Napoles ordering her to write a testimony, the Blue Ribbon Committee could read it during the pork barrel probe on Nov. 7 in case she is absent.
Escudero explained that Napoles’ lawyer, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, already perpetuated the testimony and that if she failed to attend an option was to subpoena a written testimony.
He also said that aside from being “read out”, copies of Napoles’ testimony can also be given out and the Senate will formulate questions from what they have read.
The Senators can also ask the witnesses questions based on the Napoles’ testimony.
“It would not be humane to force Napoles to appear before the Senate if she is indeed sick,” Escudero said during the briefing.
He added that Napoles cannot simply fake her illness because she will be checked by the Senate and doctors as well.
Although only an option, Escudero said that the Senate is still keen on seeing Napoles face the Senate in person.
Napoles was rushed to Southern Luzon Hospital in Sta. Rosa Laguna early Thursday after experiencing stomach, pain, nausea, and vomiting.
After hospitalization, she was immediately sent back to Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna where she is detained for serious illegal detention.