Press Release
April 13, 2016

FREE KIDAPAWAN FARMERS, NOT NAPOLES - CHIZ

Independent vice-presidential candidate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero said he was saddened by a court decision allowing detained Janet Lim Napoles, who is facing plunder cases in connection with the illegal use of billions of pesos in public funds to finance projects through her fake non-government organizations.

In a press conference, Escudero said the 76 farmers in Kidapawan who remain in jail for demanding food from the government deserve to be released from jail and not Napoles.

The farmers were arrested after the barricade they set up to protest the lack of help from the government in the wake of adverse effect of El Nino on their crops, was violently dispersed by the local police. Three farmers died and dozens others were hurt when police tried to break the rallyists.

"Nakakalungkot na si Ginang Napoles ay pinayagang mag-piyansa pero yung 76 na magsasaka na hinuli ng pulis sa Kidapawan hanggang ngayon ay nakakulong pa at hindi pinapayagang mag-piyansa," the veteran legislator said. "Medyo hindi ata pantay at tama ang hustisya kung ikukumpara natin ang dalawang ito."

Napoles, who will still remain in jail to serve two life sentences for the serious illegal detention of whistle-blower Benhur Luy, was granted bail by two court divisions of the Sandiganayan in connection with the plunder cases of former APEC party-list Rep. Edgar Valdez and dismissed Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete.

"Nakita namin ang ebidensiya sa kanya (Napoles). Hindi ko inaasahan ang desisyon na ito Kasabay ko siguro ang buong sambayan sa pagkagulat pero may iba pa naman siyang kaso na nakabinbin saSandiganbayan," Escudero said.

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