(Eagle News)–Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday, May 25, terminated Janet Lim Napoles’ provisional coverage to the Witness Protection Program.
The Department of Justice said in a statement the termination was “considering the denial” of her urgent motion for transfer of custody to the DOJ by the first, third and fifth divisions of the Sandiganbayan, which means “the main purpose for which (Napoles) had sought admission” into the program “has become moot and academic.”
“As there has been no further claim of threats to her personal security inside Camp Bagong Diwa, (I have) found no reason to extend further Ms. Napoles’ provisional coverage under the WPP, ” the DOJ said.
It said Guevarra has sent a letter to Napoles’ counsel notifying him of the termination.
The provisional coverage was granted to Napoles by then-Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre on Feb. 27, 2018 for a period not exceeding 90 days.
Aguirre had said the coverage could be granted in full if Napoles could provide more details about the alleged pork barrel scam in an affidavit.
Aguirre, however, resigned after public indignation over a DOJ panel’s dismissal of drug charges against self-confessed druglord Kerwin Espinosa and others.
Upon assuming the helm of the DOJ, Guevarra said he would review the acts of his predecessor.
According to Guevarra, the provisional coverage granted to Napoles was for “witness duty only.”
