MANILA – Dominga Cadelina, the househelp of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles whom the court ordered released from jail, will be temporarily staying at a safehouse for security reasons, the Public Attorney's Office said on Saturday.



"Siya naman ay ilalagay natin sa isang accredited safehouse ng Public Attorney's Office (PAO) para in the meantime na yung kanyang apprehension na baka siya mapatay sa labas…ma-proteksiyunan siya," said PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta.



Acosta said they do not know yet if the Office of the Ombudsman, the National Bureau of Investigation or the Department of Justice will issue a subpoena for Cadelina in relation to the ongoing probe on the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) that Napoles allegedly funneled into her bogus non-government organizations.



"Ang concern natin freedom niya, security niya and then yung health niya," Acosta said.



Cadelina, she said, has so far not made any sworn affidavits relating to the pork barrel scam. But in terms of "personal knowledge", Acosta stated that Cadelina is a potential witness after having served the Napoles household, and as the businesswoman's personal maid for a decade.



"Sampung taon siyang katulong ni Ms. Janet. May access siya sa masters bedroom, siya ang kasama kapag naliligo. Siya nagbabantay. Siya ang nagmamasahe at nagsusuklay hanggang makatulog si Ms. Janet. Siya naglilinis ng mga personal things sa katawan nitong si Ms. Janet. Siya din ang nagpapahid ng gatas sa buong katawan ni Ms. Janet bago maligo tuwing umaga," Acosta revealed.



On Friday, Judge Carlito Calpatura of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 145 granted Cadelina's freedom after almost 8 months in detention, upon PAO's motion to withdraw criminal charges filed against her.



Cadelina was sent to jail by the Napoles family in January after accusing her of stealing bags, some underwear and a jacket that allegedly amounted to nearly half a million pesos.



The PAO chief also revealed that prior to sending Cadelina to jail for theft, the house maid was also illegally detained by Napoles.



"May pag-detain din ginawa sa kanya. Pwede siyang mag kaso," Acosta said. -- Report from DZMM