Arroyo has never met Napoles- lawyer

MANILA - Former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has never met businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and did not receive any kickbacks from the latter in the alleged misuse of the P900 million Malampaya funds, Arroyo's lawyer said Monday. Atty. Raul Lambino, counsel of the former president, said Mrs. Arroyo denied ever meeting or having her picture taken with Mrs. Napoles. Both Napoles and Arroyo are facing plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for the alleged misuse of the Malampaya funds. "No. She does not know her (Napoles) and she has never met her. In fact, lahat ng testigo ng [priority development assistance fund] scam - sila Benhur Luy at iba - never did they mention GMA in their statements or affidavits," he said in an ANC interview. He added: "Sinabi nga niya nagugulat siya bakit sasampahan siya ng kaso dahil nag issue siya ng EO giving that authority. She did not misuse the Malampaya fund,. She did not receive a kickback and she did not use her office to enrich herself insofar as this allegation is concerned and now they are bring her into the plunder case." Whistle-blowers in the PDAF scam earlier said Napoles used fake letter-requests to get Malampaya funds from the Department of Agrarian Reform. The funds were supposed to be used to help farmers affected by Tropical Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng in 2009. ANC HEADSTART, October 7, 2013