Napoles to AMLC: Freeze accounts of lawmakers too

MANILA - The lawyer of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles on Tuesday challenged the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze the bank accounts of all senators and congressmen linked to the alleged pork barrel scam. Speaking to ANC's Headstart, lawyer Lorna Kapunan said the AMLC should treat lawmakers the same way it has treated her client whose bank accounts are now under scrutiny. "Even children of Mrs. Napoles who do not have anything to do at all - even if assuming or granting that Mrs. Napoles is involved - why close the kids' accounts? Who cannot even use their ATM to get gasoline to go to school? You are talking about 6 moths. You are talking about children of Mrs. Napoles and the husband who cannot eat?" she said. She reminded the public that no plunder case has been filed before a court of law. She also noted that the Commission on Audi report already identified 82 NGOs who got pork barrel funds from senators and congressmen. "Their only basis can be the COA report. I will remind everybody that the COA report had 82 NGOs. I challenge the AMLC freeze all the accounts of the 82 NGOs. Why choose 7 of the 82? Seven alleged Napoles foundations. That same COA report also names senators and congressmen. They are specifically named senators and congressmen. Why don't you freeze all their accounts? I challenge you not only their accounts but the accounts of their children and staff kasi pati staff, the accounts of their offices..." she added. ANC Headstart, September 3, 2013