MANILA, Philippines -- Telling the truth about the P10-billion pork barrel scam will either save her life or, failing that, be her best revenge against those out to murder her, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago told Janet Lim-Napoles.
“Gusto nilang patayin ka, kasi nandiyan sa utak mo ang pagkasira, hindi lamang ng kanilang kayamanan, kundi ng kanilang buhay (They want to kill you because in your brain lies the destruction not only of their wealth but of their lives),” Santiago told Napoles, as she urged the businesswoman accused of engineering the scam in collusion with lawmakers and other government officials to identify the most guilty parties in the embezzlement of huge sums in congressional pork barrel.
And in case she is murdered, Santiago told Napoles, her testimony would at least be perpetuated.
“Ngayon pa lang sabihin mo na kung sino ang most guilty dito kasi sakaling mapatay ka, puwedeng gamitin ang testimonya mo dito na parang affidavit na maaaring gamitin sa korte (Right now you better say who is the most guilty here because if you are killed, your testimony here can be like an affidavit that can be used in court),” Santiago said. “Mawawalan ka ng problema, hindi mamamatay ang testimonya mo (You will get rid of your problems, your testimony will not die).”
Santiago also suggested that Napoles petition the court for the perpetuation of her testimony.
“Dahil pinag-iinitan ka, puwede kang humingi ng (Because you are under threat, you can ask for the) perpetuation of testimony, (for) which you can file a petition before the court,” she said. “Kung kumbinsido ang korte na kung mapatay ka at hindi makakamit ang katarungan, papayag ang korte na bigyan ka ng (If the court is convinced that justice will not be attained if you are killed, the court will grant) perpetual testimony.”
“Kaya habang buhay ka, mapanganib ang buhay mo, kasi nasa panganib ang buhay nila, maraming panganib sa buhay nila. Habang buhay ka, sabihin mo na (That’s why, while you’re still alive, your life is in danger because their lives are in danger, there are many threats to their lives. While you are alive, tell all). These people are murderous, they are planning your murder,” Santiago said.
“Kasi kung mapatay ka, nagantihan mo na sila, ipapatay ka nila, kaya habang buhay ka pa, gantihan mo na sila, magbigay ka ng (Because if you are killed, you would have struck back already, they are out to kill you, so while you are still alive, strick back, give your) perpetual testimony,” Santiago said.
“Pag-isipan mo ‘yan, para sa abogado mo ‘yan (Think about that, that’s for your lawyer),” she added.
source: interaksyon.com