Press Release
April 14, 2016

Cayetano to gov't: Did you file a weak case against Napoles?

"Is the case built up and filed against Napoles weak or not?"

This was the question asked by vice presidential candidate and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to the Aquino government regarding the case it filed against Janet Lim-Napoles in connection with the multi-billion pork barrel scam.

In a statement, Cayetano said that the granting of bail to Napoles is "highly disturbing."

"The administration repeatedly assured us that it will build up a strong case based on the overwhelming evidence that we have seen on this issue. They have all the documentary evidence. They have the witnesses under their care. The justice department was on top of this. How come now that Napoles was able to secure bail from the court?" Cayetano asked.

Cayetano said that while Napoles will remain in the correctional facility due to the serious illegal detention charge filed by whistleblower Benhur Luy, the granting of bail could set a dangerous precedent.

"This could soft-pedal the gravity of other PDAF charges and prevent the prosecution of corrupt individuals involved in the pork barrel scam," Cayetano stressed.

Cayetano also assailed the government for failing to include other key personalities involved in the PDAF scam. The senator particularly pointed to the involvement of Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to the Napoles pork barrel syndicate.

"Aside from being a spawn and a direct beneficiary of a dictator who plundered the country's coffers, Sen. Marcos was also directly involved in the Napoles pork barrel syndicate. The Aquino administration has a moral and political responsibility to ensure that Sen. Marcos has his day in court," Cayetano said.

"Failure to do so will not only give Sen. Marcos a free pass to commit more corrupt practices in the future, it will also help his and his family's complete return to power at the expense of the people's money," Cayetano ended.

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