The recent offer by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles to return P1 billion in alleged pork barrel scam funds is seen as a move that could weaken the plunder case against former Senator Bong Revilla Jr., legal analysts say.
Napoles, through her lawyer, has proposed returning the amount to the government, which critics argue is an attempt to muddy the prosecution's case. The development comes as the Sandiganbayan is set to resume hearings on the graft and plunder charges against Revilla, Napoles, and others.
"The return of money could be used to argue that no damage was done, potentially reducing the severity of the charges," said a legal expert who requested anonymity.
Revilla's camp has welcomed the offer, calling it a step towards justice. However, the prosecution maintains that the return does not erase the crime of plunder, which involves the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth.
The case stems from allegations that Revilla received kickbacks from Napoles' fake NGOs in exchange for channeling his pork barrel funds to them. Both have denied the charges.