Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, widely known as the “pork barrel” scam, was convicted on 13 counts of money laundering by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 158 in a decision dated Oct. 1, 2025.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said in a statement the court sentenced Napoles to seven to 14 years of imprisonment for each count and ordered her to pay a fine of P94.15 million. The judgment is subject to appeal.
The AMLC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) jointly initiated and prosecuted the case. This marks the second conviction the AMLC has secured against Napoles involving the “pork barrel” scam, following a 2024 decision from RTC Branch 24, Manila.
The court found that Napoles orchestrated a scheme involving the creation of bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) to receive pork barrel funds for ghost projects. By making it appear that the funds originated from legitimate sources, Napoles concealed their criminal origin, which the court found fully satisfied the elements of money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended, it said.
AMLC executive director Matthew David welcomed the court decision, saying it “sends a strong message: those who abuse public funds will be held accountable.”
He said the conviction is a demonstration of the AMLC’s “relentless pursuit of individuals who exploit” public trust.
The conviction comes as the AMLC intensifies its efforts to investigate financial crimes tied to the flood control project controversy.
The AMLC and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Sept. 30, 2025 at the National Cybercrime Hub in Bonifacio Global City. The agreement aims to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, enhance information sharing, and coordinate action regarding the ongoing flood project investigations.
“This partnership is a strong demonstration of our collective resolve to uphold integrity in public service, ensure that illicit financial activities tied to infrastructure project anomalies are thoroughly investigated, and to hold accountable those responsible,” David said.
The MOA outlines provisions for coordination, information sharing, and joint efforts to trace, preserve, and recover assets linked to unlawful activities, reinforcing the AMLC’s mandate to investigate money laundering offenses arising from corruption and related unlawful activities.
AMLC chairman and BSP Governor Eli Remolonia, Jr. signed the MOA for the AMLC. The ICI was represented by its members, including IC chairperson and retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Bernal Reyes Jr.
The ICI was established under Executive Order No. 94, Series of 2025, to conduct an in-depth investigation into alleged irregularities in infrastructure spending.
 signals a strong stance against corruption. The AMLC also signed an agreement with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to intensify probes into financial crimes.){kind=link}