Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) — The Sandiganbayan on Monday acquitted businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and former Rep. Edgar Valdez of plunder over the pork barrel scam, but found them guilty of other crimes.
The anti-graft court convicted Napoles of nine counts of corruption of a public official while Valdez received nine counts of direct bribery.
They each face a fine of more than P26 million and serve up to six years in prison.
In 2013, the multibillion-peso scam involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel fund, sparked public outrage and triggered nationwide protests.
The PDAF was a discretionary fund that allowed senators and congressmen to allot funds for their pet projects.
However, the supposed development funds were found to have ended up in the pockets of public officials, whom Napoles reportedly connived with funneling pork money to fake non-governmental organizations.
EXPLAINER: What you need to know about the PDAF scam
The Sandiganbaya’s website is down, so a full copy of the decision is not yet accessible online.
