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Sandiganbayan acquits Napoles, Masbate gov of plunder in P112-M pork barrel case
The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Masbate governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, her chief of staff, and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles of plunder charges related to the alleged misuse of Lanete's P112.29 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) between 2007 and 2009.
The anti-graft court's Fourth Division cleared the three individuals, citing reasonable doubt in their plunder case, stating that a conviction requires proof of personal amassment of at least P50 million in ill-gotten wealth.
The court found that the evidence did not definitively show Lanete amassed the required amount of ill-gotten wealth, noting that the prosecution failed to prove Lanete and Napoles ever met to discuss the scheme.
Furthermore, the Sandiganbayan stated that documents presented showing Lanete's signatures cannot be taken as gospel truth since a prosecution witness admitted to forging signatures, and Lanete consistently stated hers were forged.
Despite the acquittal from plunder, Janet Lim Napoles was ordered to pay P107.34 million to the government with an annual interest of 6% as civil liability.
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