The Sandiganbayan has convicted Janet Lim Napoles and others of malversation for the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund of the late Benguet representative Samuel Dangwa. In a 165-page decision dated November 21, Napoles was sentenced to reclusion perpetua in two cases. The court also ordered the accused to return the misappropriated funds.
On November 21, the Sandiganbayan issued a decision convicting Janet Lim Napoles and several co-accused of malversation involving funds from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the late Samuel Dangwa, former Benguet representative. In one case concerning P10 million in funds, former Technology Resource Center deputy director Dennis Cunanan and CARED Foundation head Mylene Encarnacion were also found guilty. The three were ordered to return the P10 million to the government, plus 6% annual interest.
In another case involving P9 million, Napoles and former National Livelihood Development Corp. president Gondelina Amata were convicted and sentenced to reclusion perpetua. They were fined P9 million each and held jointly and severally liable for the restitution amount, along with legal interest.
In a separate malversation case, Napoles and her co-accused received sentences of reclusion temporal—up to 20 years—and prision mayor, up to 12 years. The court directed the return of all misappropriated funds. Additionally, they were found guilty of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The court dismissed charges against Dangwa, Eulogio Dimailig Rodriguez, Romulo Magahis Relevo, and Emmanuel Alexis Gagni Sevidal due to their deaths. This ruling forms part of the broader investigation into the pork barrel scam that implicated numerous government officials.