Napoles, Masbate governor plead not guilty to plunder, graft

MANILA, Philippines — Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles on Wednesday pleaded "not guilty" on plunder and graft charges for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam before before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division.

Detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles (pictured) and Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete are detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig. STAR file

Lanete is among the second batch of lawmakers charged by the Ombudsman for using Napoles' fake non-government organizations to siphon Priority Development Assistance Funds while she was still a congressman from 2007 to 2009.

The other lawmakers in the second batch are former Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa, former Cagayan De Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula, former Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza and former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) party-list Rep. Edgar Valdez.

Lanete's camp filed a bail petition before the Supreme Court, arguing the evidence presented before the anti-graft court is not yet strong.

To counter the charges against her, Lanete argued that the documents submitted as proof against her contained her forged signatures.

"The forgery of petitioner's signature is apparent. Petitioner had good faith, reason to believe that the projects funded by her PDAF were implemented," Lanete's petition exclaimed.

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Lanete added that she has no intention of fleeing the country.

Associate Justices Jose Hernandez, Alex Quiroz and Maria Cristina Cornejo of the Fourth Division, however, found her petition lacking merit and denied her motion.

The governor's supporters, meanwhile, flocked to the courtroom to show support and witness the arraignment.

Lanete and Napoles are currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

***Originally published on Philstar.com; April 8, 2015; 3:51 p.m. Link: Napoles, Masbate governor plead not guilty to plunder, graft