MANILA- Liberal Party President Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Monday said the acquittal of Janet Lim Napoles in her illegal detention case is a "bad sign" for other pork barrel cases linked to her.

"Masamang senyales ito dahil una, nangangahulugan na hindi pinaniniwalaan ng korte ang testimonya ni Benhur Luy na siya ring key witness sa mga PDAF [Priority Development Assistance Fund] cases, o mga kaso sa tinatawag na pork barrel. Paano na ang PDAF cases?" Pangilinan said in a statement Monday.

Citing reasonable doubt, the Court of Appeals (CA) acquitted Napoles for the crime of serious illegal detention in connection with the alleged abduction and detention of her former aide and relative, Benhur Luy, and reversed a lower court ruling that found Napoles guilty.

Pangilinan also criticized Solicitor General Jose Calida for moving for Napoles' acquittal.

Calida on Monday said "justice prevailed" in the acquittal of Napoles in her serious illegal detention case.

“The Decision of the Court of Appeals encapsulates the Latin maxim fiat justitia ruat caelum. Let justice be done though the heavens fall,” Calida said.

"Paano na ang iba pang kaso ni Napoles? Bakit pinagtatanggol ng tagapagtanggol ng bayan ang Pork-Barrel Queen?" Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan also slammed Napoles for allegedly stealing billions of money from the public.

"At pangatlo, P10 billion ang nawala sa kaban ng bayan, perang dapat sana'y napunta sa agrikultura, sa mga proyektong makikinabang ang magsasaka, pero napunta sa bank account niya at ng ilang mambabatas. Paano pa maibabalik ang perang ito?" he said.