Janet Napoles, a name synonymous with corruption in the Philippines, has found an unexpected new calling as a member of the Jesus, Mary, Joseph Religious congregation inside the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.

Looking younger and slimmer, the 60-year-old Napoles exuded an air of tranquility as she mingled with fellow inmates on Tuesday morning. Her face radiated a surprising serenity, and she wore a ready smile that contrasted sharply with her past.

Chanced upon during the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) legal and medical caravan, she appeared genuinely happy, a stark contrast to her gloomy demeanor during the hearings on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam that began in 2013.

During that tense time, Napoles would enter the Sandiganbayan courtroom surrounded by her team of lawyers, including the controversial Atty. Stephen David, her expression far from joyful. Yet last Tuesday, clad in white leggings, sneakers and a light orange shirt, she stepped into a 120-square-meter chapel and joined a Zumba session with fellow inmates.

As music filled the air, she laughed and swayed, a picture of joy and transformation. Friends and fellow inmates watched in admiration as she danced, embodying a striking contrast to the somber figure of the past.

In a candid moment, Napoles shared that she had been immersing herself in her newfound role with the congregation which boasts over 800 members.

“We pray every morning with the members,” she said, a serene smile playing on her lips. “Since we’re confined to our respective cells by the afternoon, our mornings are dedicated to seeking the Lord.”

Her commitment to prayer has become a cornerstone of her daily life, a refuge amid the turmoil of her past.

As she spoke, there was a palpable sense of hope in her voice.

She said she has surrendered her future to God, fervently wishing for answers to her prayers.

“I’m holding on to the hope that a light will emerge, that all my struggles connected to the PDAF fund scam will eventually come to an end,” she said, her eyes reflecting a mix of vulnerability and determination.

Within the walls of the CIW, the congregation is united in their spiritual journey, asking for forgiveness for their sins.

For Napoles, those prayers are more than a ritual — they are a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in a world shrouded in shadows.

As she joins her fellow inmates in seeking redemption, one can’t help but wonder: Can faith truly transform a life once marked by scandal, or is this merely the calm before another storm?

Has Janet Napoles truly embraced a new life, or is this a fleeting moment in her tumultuous journey? The echoes of laughter within the prison walls hinted at a surprising resilience, leaving observers to wonder what this chapter holds for a woman once defined by scandal.

‘Pork barrel’ queen

As a businesswoman accused of masterminding one of the largest corruption scandals in Philippine history, her story is both a cautionary tale and a reflection of broader societal challenges.

At the heart of Napoles’ legal woes was the infamous “pork barrel” scam, which involved the diversion of billions of pesos in public funds intended for development projects.

Napoles allegedly used her network of non-government organizations (NGOs) to siphon these funds, leading to massive financial losses for the government. The scheme, which reportedly spanned several years, implicated numerous lawmakers, further exposing the deep-rooted corruption in the Philippine political system.

In 2013, the scandal broke when investigative reports linked several senators and congressmen to Napoles’ NGOs, prompting a public outcry for accountability. The ensuing media frenzy thrust Napoles into the spotlight, and she quickly became a polarizing figure in the nation’s discourse on corruption.

Napoles’ legal troubles intensified when she was charged with graft and plunder, leading to her arrest and conviction in 2014 for the pork barrel scam, which resulted in a life sentence. Despite her conviction, she maintains her innocence, claiming to be a scapegoat for political elites.

Her legal saga continued with additional charges, including serious illegal detention related to the kidnapping of a whistleblower, further complicating her situation.

The impact of Napoles’ actions reverberated beyond her troubles, igniting public outrage that called for significant reforms in the Philippines’ political system.