MANILA, Philippines — The claim of the camp of second gentleman Manases Carpio about an alleged “glitch” on his bank records should be presented during the trial of Senate impeachment court against her wife, Vice President Sara Duterte, a solon said on Tuesday.
On Monday, Atty. Peter Paul Danao, citing information they obtained in social media, said that the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) reportedly clarified that the “P2 billion” figure was only “P2 million” due to the alleged “system glitch”.
But for San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria “Bel” Zamora, the vice chairperson of the House justice committee which had deliberated on impeachment complaints against Duterte, the camp of Carpio should formally present and substantiate their assertions during a Senate trial.
“It’s their duty to present it during trial,” Zamora said in a radio dzBB interview.
READ: Lawmakers dismiss Carpio complaint, cite impeachment exemption
Danao even said that the BPI has reportedly issued a clarification that there was an alleged “system glitch” in the bank’s system.
BPI, in a statement, said it “does not disclose client information or transaction details, except as may be required under applicable legal processes.”
For its part, Zamora said the committee has not seen any indication that the bank has clarified the AMLC records, adding that “government records are presumed to be regular.”
This “P2 billion” figure was allegedly part of the P6.7 billion which the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said is the total amount 33 of suspicious transactions and 630 covered dealings involving Duterte and Carpio.
READ: Luistro: AMLC confirms another Sara Duterte transaction
Danao said the P6.7 billion figure reported by AMLC was bloated, noting that Carpio said he “does not have that six billion amount.” But Danao said the real figure could not be disclosed since Carpio is a private citizen.
However, Zamora noted that public officials are not exempt from scrutiny, especially when financial disclosures are required by law.
“I understand bank secrecy. I understand the privacy of these individuals. But the point is, we have to relate this to the issue of unexplained wealth and to the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), because there was nothing indicated there regarding the cash on hand and cash in bank of our Vice President, which should also include those of her husband,” Zamora said.
“To be honest, when a government official files a SALN, the bank accounts of their spouse are included… So it cannot be that just because Atty. Mans Carpio is a private individual, his accounts can no longer be disclosed,” she continued.’
Last week, Carpio filed criminal complaints against Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and AMLC chairperson Eli Remolona Jr., AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, and other lawmakers for public disclosure of his “confidential bank records” during the April 22 hearing on the impeachment complaints against the vice president. The respondents are facing complaints for alleged violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Bank Secrecy Law and Data Privacy Act.
The AMLC was summoned during the House justice panel hearing as one of the impeachment complaints cited allegations of unexplained wealth, command responsibility for the alleged misuse of public funds, and alleged “misdeclarations” in the vice president’s SALN.
On Monday, the House justice panel unanimously approved the committee report containing the articles of impeachment against Duterte, with all 55 lawmakers present voting in favor of the motion.
A one-third vote of all House members is required before the endorsement of the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which will act as the impeachment court.
If convicted, Duterte will be removed from office and barred from holding any public post.
Duterte is the first one to announce her presidential bid in the 2028 elections. /mr
