No more lies.
President Benigno S. Aquino III has encouraged Janet Napoles, the businesswoman at the center of the pork barrel scam, to tell the truth about the alleged fund anomalies.
The President held a 10-minute meeting with Napoles in Malacañang shortly after she surrendered last Wednesday night, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.
Roxas said the President wanted Napoles to return to the ambit of the law so she can shed light on the alleged misuse of the congressional pork barrel funds.
After several days on the run, Napoles surrendered to the President last Wednesday night and was immediately transferred to a detention in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Napoles is facing charges for the alleged abduction of whistleblower Benhur Luy. Her surrender came a few hours after the government a P10-million reward for any information leading to her arrest.
Roxas, in a media interview early Thursday morning, said the President assured the safety of Napoles while under police custody after she expressed fear for her life.
He disclosed that it was the lawyer of Napoles, Lorna Kapunan, who contacted Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda about the surrender feelers early Wednesday. Both were former colleagues at a law firm.
Aquino was then informed about the intention of Napoles to surrender. Authorities later arranged an apparent clandestine operation to facilitate the surrender of the fugitive.
Roxas claimed that Napoles and her husband were fetched in a place before they met the President in the Palace. He said the P10-million bounty on Napoles has been withdrawn following her voluntary surrender to authorities.
Last Wednesday, the President made clear that Napoles must surrender and face the charges against her amid proposals to get her as state witness in the pork barrel controversy.
He said such prospect must also be thoroughly studied before any action is taken, citing the existing arrest warrant against Napoles.
