Ridon: AMLC confidentiality not absolute

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) confidentiality is not absolute, House prosecutor Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list said Saturday, arguing that the agency itself discloses financial information to courts when seeking freeze orders.

Ridon said this undermines arguments that confidentiality rules prevent AMLC records from being presented before the Senate impeachment court in Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial.

He pointed out that the AMLC routinely provides information to the Court of Appeals when it seeks orders to freeze assets suspected of being linked to unlawful activities.

Article continues after this advertisement

“If the confidentiality were absolute, they wouldn’t be able to provide information to the court to have assets frozen, right?” Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: Bank tax records to test Trillanes claims vs Sara Duterte

“So in a similar situation, why shouldn’t the AMLC be able to provide information to the Senate impeachment court, which does not derive its authority from the judiciary but has its own authority under the 1987 Constitution?” he added.

In August, the AMLC secured a Court of Appeals freeze order covering 55 bank accounts and four insurance policies linked to a lawmaker, a construction company and other individuals over alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Ridon also pointed to provisions allowing the AMLC to exchange information with other authorities as another reason he believes its confidentiality requirement cannot be considered absolute.

Article continues after this advertisement

“That means if information can be exchanged with other offices, then the confidentiality is not absolute. Because when you exchange information, you are disclosing data, right?” he said.

The issue has become relevant to the impeachment trial as prosecutors seek to present AMLC records involving Duterte, her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, and companies linked to them.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Senate impeachment court in July granted the prosecution’s request to subpoena AMLC, bank and tax records after finding the documents prima facie relevant and material to the allegations under Article II.

AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura is expected to take the witness stand Monday after his testimony was deferred to give the defense more time to review financial records and prepare for his examination.

While maintaining the prosecution’s position that AMLC confidentiality does not bar the presentation of the records, Ridon acknowledged that the impeachment court will ultimately rule on the issue.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“We will leave it to the Senate impeachment court to decide on that day,” he said.