MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thurday released a list of vehicles being used by the Napoles family.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the list was released to help authorities arrest Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged brains behind the multi-billion scam involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of lawmakers and the P900-million Malampaya Fund mess.
“I would ask that this be published, i-disseminate natin ‘yan as widely as possible. Although binigyan na din namin ang NLEx and SLEx, baka dumaan. But we are clarifying that we are not sure whether all of these are registered under the name of Mrs. Napoles, baka ‘yung iba sa iba nakapangalan pero ginagamit din ‘yan ng mga Napoles,” de Lima said.
Among the vehicles included in the list are a BMW (BMW 35), Porsche Cayenne (CYN 78), Chevrolet Tahoe (ZAG 827) and several SUVs.
Napoles and her brother, Reynald Lim, are facing charges of serious illegal detention of Benhur Luy, the so-called primary whistleblower of the alleged pork barrel and Malampaya fund scams.
The warrants for their arrest were issued by Judge Elmo Almeda of the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 on Wednesday.
No bail was recommended.
De Lima also urged the public to be vigilant and report to authorities if they know the suspects’ whereabouts.
The public may get in touch with the National Bureau of Investigation through its Operation Center hotlines 524-1141 and 09175838612.
“It’s a case which is imbued with public interest on account of the ongoing major investigation sa PDAF and Malampaya funds,” de Lima said.
“Hindi pwede na malusutan tayo. Hindi pwede na makalusot ito sa arm of the law. It’s time for them to face the music,” she added.
She also said President Aquino told her that the warrants of arrest should be served as soon as possible.
“I informed the President last night and he was expecting na maaaresto na kagabi,” she said.