黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Senate may, as a last option, subpoena Janet Lim-Napoles鈥� written testimony in case she uses her health condition to skip聽the聽Senate investigation on the 鈥減ork barrel鈥� scam, Senator Francis 鈥淐hiz鈥� Escudero said on Thursday.

Napoles, who has been detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna for serious illegal detention of her cousin and whistle-blower Benhur Luy, was invited by the Senate to appear before its own investigation into the P10 billion 鈥減ork barrel鈥澛爏cam on November 7.

But should she fail to appear before the chamber, Escudero said聽the Senate may just subpoena Napoles鈥� written testimony and just read it聽before the聽 Senate blue ribbon committee, investigating the scam.

鈥淎ccording to her lawyer, they perpetuated (Napoles鈥�) testimony. That means a document was executed in relation to her testimony. If she cannot attend, that is an option 鈥� for the blue ribbon committee to subpoena (her written testimony),鈥� the senator said in Filipino during the weekly media forum in the Senate when asked聽to comment on Napoles鈥� hospitalization before dawn Thursday.

鈥淚t can be read out. Copies can be distributed and questions can be asked of the other witnesses based on that affidavit,鈥� he added.

It聽 would not be humane, he said, to force聽 Napoles to appear before the Senate if she is indeed sick.
鈥淚 will ensure one thing, she cannot fake her illness because we will repeatedly have her checked by the Senate and government doctors,鈥澛燛scudero said.

But the senator said the possibility of Napoles not being able to attend the senate hearing was slim 鈥渦nless her illness is permanent or lingering.鈥�

鈥淧erhaps there is still a chance for her to recover and testify in person,鈥� he added.

Escudero clarified that the subpoena for聽 Napoles stills stays聽 and that the written testimony was only an option, a 鈥渢emporary鈥� remedy if she is indeed ill.

Related Stories:

Napoles doesn鈥檛 want to appear at the Senate, says lawyer