MANILA, Philippines–Alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-NapolesÌýpleaded not guilty on Thursday during her arraignment for plunder charges at theÌýantigraftÌýcourtÌýSandiganbayan.
Her arraignment officially starts the trial on the country’s biggest corruption scandal so far under the Aquino administration, which involves the alleged pillaging of some P10 billion from lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance (PDAF) funds.
NapolesÌýis accused of conspiring with senators, congressmen and other public officials who got kickbacks of as high as 50 percent kickbacks in ghost projects ofÌýNapoles’ bogus nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs. The PDAF funds were meant to ease rural poverty.Also charged with plunder are Senators Juan PonceÌýEnrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. andÌýJinggoyÌýEstrada. Revilla and Estrada have both surrendered to the police after warrants for their arrest were issued.
RELATED STORIES
MOST READ
LATEST STORIES