FALSE: Atty. Kapunan receives ‘maleta’ amid Senate Impeachment proceedings

A YouTube video claims that Atty. Lorna Kapunan receives payment linked to the ‘maleta controversy’ to oppose Defense counsel amid Senate Impeachment proceedings. 

CLAIM 

The video presented a P2.58-B travel budget appropriation linked to Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the ‘maleta controversy,’  allegedly attributed to Atty. Lorna Kapunan. 

Meanwhile, the video claims that she benefited from the said budget to oppose the Defense Counsel amid Senate Impeachment proceedings, and that she was ‘left red-faced with shame,’ along with the ‘Bayaran remark.’

RATING: FALSE

CONCLUSION

No official record shows that Atty. Lorna Kapunan received payment from the ₱2.58-billion appropriation or a ‘maleta,’ while reports identify her as a pro bono private prosecutor in the impeachment trial, making its “bayaran” claim unsupported. 

FACTS: 

• Despite claiming that ₱2.58-billion travel appropriation was linked to the ‘maleta controversy’ and Romualdez, it was actually a House of Representatives travel appropriation and not linked to Atty. Kapunan. On the other hand, the ‘alleged maleta cash deliveries or kickbacks’ probe linked to Romualdez is a separate and unrelated issue.
• No evidence that the ₱2.58-billion appropriation was paid to Atty. Kapunan. Kapunan is one of the private prosecutors serving on a pro bono basis, or without compensation, in the impeachment trial. 
• Kapunan is counsel for the House prosecution panel, and her role includes presenting and defending the prosecution’s position before the Senate impeachment court. Her arguing against the defense therefore does not establish that she was paid or received a “maleta.” 

BOTTOMLINE

The YouTube video falsely links Kapunan to the ₱2.58-billion appropriation, which may deceive the public into believing she was “paid” to oppose the defense.