MANILA -- Businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles denied being close to her second cousin Benhur Luy, the key whistleblower in the multi-billion pork barrel scam. During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday, Napoles was asked by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano about her ties with Luy before the scandal broke out. Napoles said her mother is a relative of Luy's father. Luy earlier said he was hired by Napoles as her personal assistant in 2002. Napoles, however, denied this. "Hindi ho. Hindi ko matandaan pero bago lang yun." The businesswoman also said she does not know why Luy and the other whistleblowers are testifying against her and accusing her of being the mastermind in the pork barrel scam. Napoles also denied having a fight with Luy. Luy, the key whistleblower in the case, was allegedly detained against his will by Napoles and her brother, Reynald "Jojo" Lim from December 2012 to March 2013. Luy was rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to whom he spilled the beans on the scandal. He claims to have digital files of Napoles' anomalous transactions from 2003 to 2010. ANC, November 7, 2013