Napoles, NLDC head get 68 years over PDAF

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, together with Gondelina Amata, the former president of the defunct state-owned firm National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC), and Michael Lim Benjamin, the former chief political officer of former senator Gregorio Honasan II, to up to 68 years in prison in connection with the alleged misuse of the latter’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

In a decision promulgated yesterday, the anti-graft court’s Third Division found Napoles, Amata and Benjamin guilty of one count each of violation of Section (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, one count each of malversation of public funds and three counts each of the complex crime of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

For the graft offense they were sentenced to six up to 10 years imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office.

For the malversation offense, they were sentenced to imprisonment of 12 up to 17 years and four months.

While for the two counts of malversation through falsification, they were sentenced to six up to 12 years for each count and 12 up to 17 years for the third count.