Janet Lim Napoles, widely known as the “pork barrel queen,” was convicted anew on October 1, 2025, for 13 counts of money laundering. The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 158 handed down the conviction in connection with the infamous 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, a multi-billion peso controversy involving the misuse of public funds through fabricated projects. This marked the second successful money laundering conviction against Napoles following an earlier 2024 ruling by the Manila RTC Branch 24.
The court sentenced Napoles to seven to 14 years of imprisonment for each of the 13 counts, with an additional fine of ₱94.15 million imposed. The cumulative sentence potentially amounts to imprisonment terms exceeding a century, though the judgment remains subject to appeal. The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), in collaboration with the Department of Justice (DOJ), jointly prosecuted the case, underscoring the government’s continued resolve to address corruption and financial crime.
Details of the Conviction
The court’s decision highlighted Napoles’ role in orchestrating a scheme that funneled pork barrel funds through sham non-government organizations (NGOs). According to the ruling, Napoles fabricated these NGOs which then acted as conduits for the pork barrel funds allocated by lawmakers for public projects that were either non-existent or grossly overpriced, commonly referred to as “ghost projects.” By making the proceeds appear to have legitimate origins, Napoles effectively concealed the illicit nature of the public funds, fulfilling the elements of money laundering as defined under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended.
This conviction is distinct from, yet linked to, her earlier money laundering case wherein she was sentenced in 2024 to seven to 14 years of imprisonment for similar charges, along with a ₱16-million fine. Both convictions spring from Napoles’s central role as alleged mastermind behind the PDAF scam, which involved the diversion of billions of pesos earmarked for development projects to private pockets.
Statements from Authorities
AMLC Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David issued a statement emphasizing the significance of this latest conviction. He affirmed that the ruling sends a strong and clear message that individuals who abuse public funds for personal gain will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. David described the victory as a milestone in the ongoing campaign against corruption and financial crimes, highlighting the AMLC’s relentless pursuit of those who manipulate the financial system to cloak illicit activities.
He further noted that the AMLC would continue its intensifying efforts to investigate financial crimes linked to high-profile cases, including the ongoing investigations into controversial projects such as the flood control project controversy. The council’s campaign aims to uphold public trust and ensure that resources intended for national development are not diverted or misused.
Background on Napoles and the PDAF Scam
Janet Lim Napoles emerged in public discourse as a key figure in the 2013 PDAF scam, which was one of the largest corruption scandals in the Philippines in recent decades. The scam involved the unlawful channeling of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations into fake NGOs controlled by Napoles. These funds were then purportedly used for ghost projects that were never implemented, defrauding the government and taxpayers of billions of pesos.
Napoles has been charged and convicted in multiple cases related to this scam. She currently serves several prison sentences in the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, with her recent conviction adding to her extensive legal troubles. The ongoing legal proceedings reflect sustained government efforts to deliver justice and recover diverted public funds.
Implications and Next Steps
The recent conviction of Napoles represents a significant achievement in the fight against systemic corruption and signals continued vigilance by Philippine authorities to prosecute white-collar crimes effectively. It also serves as a reminder for institutional reforms aimed at strengthening financial oversight and preventing the manipulation of public funds.
While the court rulings are subject to appeal, these convictions highlight the effectiveness of coordinated efforts among agencies such as the AMLC and DOJ. These rulings reinforce the legal principle that convictions for money laundering do not necessarily require a prior final conviction for the predicate crime, as long as there is clear proof that the funds involved originate from unlawful activities.
Janet Lim Napoles was convicted again on 13 counts of money laundering by the Pasig RTC Branch 158 on October 1, 2025, connected to the 2013 PDAF pork barrel scam. The court sentenced her to seven to 14 years per count and imposed a ₱94.15-million fine. This follows her earlier 2024 conviction on related money laundering charges. Prosecuted by the AMLC and DOJ, the case centered on schemes involving bogus NGOs used to conceal the origins of stolen public funds. AMLC Executive Director Matthew M. David hailed the decision as a key victory in the fight against corruption, pledging continued efforts to hold corrupt actors accountable and protect national resources.
AML Editor’s article was originally published in manilatimes on October 4, 2025