MANILA -- Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago slammed one of Janet Lim Napoles' former lawyers, former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rene Villa, for claiming to be an expert in international trade law when he is merely an overseas Filipino worker (OFW). Just last week, Villa admitted lawyering for Napoles for the businesswoman's coal business in Indonesia and other international ventures a year after he stepped down as DAR secreteray until 2010. Villa, a Liberal Party (LP) member who was appointed as Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chairman in 2011, also admitted receiving cash and a pickup truck from Napoles. He insisted, however, that these were payments for his services as her lawyer. During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday, Santiago questioned Napoles why she hired Villa as her lawyer, citing doubts on his supposed expertise in international trade law. Santiago asked Napoles if Villa graduated with honors and if he attained a master's degree in international law. Napoles said she does not know. "Kailanman sa buong buhay ko hindi ko narinig na meron palang eksperto ng international trade law na ang pangalan niya ay Rene Villa," Santiago said. "Nagtrabaho siya sa Kuwait, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In other words, he is just an OFW masquerading as an international trade lawyer. OFW lang siya eh," she added. Meanwhile, the senator also questioned how Napoles, a high school graduate, got rich that quick. Santiago also asked Napoles if it is true that she owns 28 houses and 30 vehicles. Napoles denied and said she only has three houses and seven vehicles. Napoles, owner of the JLN Group of Companies, is accused of conspiring with lawmakers and other government officials in funneling billions of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) she allegedly set up. She is facing plunder charges along with three senators and 34 others before the Office of the Ombudsman. ANC, November 7, 2013
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