The Sandiganbayan’s 2nd Division has acquitted businesswoman Janet Napoles of graft and malversation charges, along with a former executive of the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam case.
In a 98-page decision penned by Associate Justice Arthur O. Malabaguio and released on September 18, 2024, the court ruled that government prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence to prove Napoles’ guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Aside from Napoles, NLDC President Gondelina Amata and Assets Management Division Chief Gregorio Buenaventura were also acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
The case involved the illegal diversion of PHP5 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), allocated by former La Union Rep. Victor Francisco Ortega, to the Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation Inc., a non-government organization (NGO) linked to Napoles.
Despite the acquittal, Napoles remains detained at the Correctional Institution for Women due to her previous conviction for plunder, multiple counts of graft, malversation of public funds, and corruption of a public official.