Cayetano: 'Someone powerful' backing Napoles?

MANILA - Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano warned Thursday that he is inclined to believe "someone powerful" is backing alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles because of the favors she is receiving from government. "I believe someone powerful is behind her because why are they considering her request to become a state witness? Why is she in Fort Santo Domingo and not a regular jail? Now, she is no longer satisfied with Sta. Rosa, she wants to stay in Ospital ng Makati," he said in an interview on radio DZMM. He added: "If she is given immunity, tingin ko nagkaayusan na dito." Cayetano said Napoles' testimony is not necessary to build a case against lawmakers linked to the scam since the whistle-blowers and the government agencies have the information and the paper trail. He also debunked the list of lawmakers allegedly linked to the scam, which contained his name. He noted that even pork scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy had already noted that he (Cayetano) refused to have dealings with Napoles. Cayetano said the Department of Budget and Management, Commission on Audit and Department of Agriculture should release all the information that could link or clear lawmakers in the scam. He also questioned why Napoles would release three different lists to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Panfilo Lacson and Sandra Cam on the night that she was to undergo an operation. "If you are Mrs. Napoles and you just want to tell the truth, why not go to the media? Why not just call for a presscon?" he asked. RADIO DZMM, May 15, 2014