Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Kapunan quits as Napoles' lawyer


MANILA (UPDATED) - Lawyer Lorna Kapunan has resigned as counsel for businesswoman Janet Napoles in the serious illegal detention case filed against her by pork scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed the news but said she does not know the reason behind the resignation. De Lima and Kapunan were once partners at a law firm.

A DZRH news report said Napoles cited "differences of opinion" as the reason for her resignation.

Kapunan was handling the illegal detention case filed by Luy against her client. The case was being heard this morning when Kapunan suddenly went out of the court room.

Kapunan is also handling the defense of Napoles in the charges filed against her over the pork barrel scam.

Napoles has had a string of lawyers before she settled with Kapunan's team. Kapunan was already her counsel when she surrendered to Malacanang.

Kapunan earlier said she accepted Napoles as a client to get to the truth about the alleged controversy involving lawmakers' priority development assistance funds (PDAF). She said a person she trusts endorsed Napoles to her.

She also told ANC Headstart host Karen Davila that Napoles received threats from some politicians to stay silent about the scam.

She also said she is considering Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's suggestion to avail of a procedure called "perpetuation of testimony" under the rules of court.

Under that procedure, Napoles' testimony will be given in writing outside of court, so it can be preserved for the trial even if something happens to her.

"Really, we were intending to do that precisely because of the real threats on her life," Kapunan said.
  

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