AMLC prober: Bong Revilla has a ‘criminal mind’
Senator Bong Revilla. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The bank investigator from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Thursday believed Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. had a “criminal mind” for opening multiple bank accounts to deposit at least P87 million at the height of the pork barrel scam.
During Revilla’s bail hearing for plunder case over the pork barrel scam, Atty. Leigh Von Santos said opening multiple bank accounts is indicative of a money laundering scheme.
He also said Revilla’s closure of all his 81 bank accounts when the scandal was blown wide open indicates illicit activities.
“The closure of bank accounts when the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) circulated in the media is indicative of a criminal mind,” Santos said.
“The maintenance of quite a number of bank accounts is an indication of a money-laundering scheme,” he added.
Revilla, who attended the hearing, fumed after being accused of having a criminal mind.
“Pabayaan mo na sila. Ginawa na nga nila tayong kriminal. Bahala na Panginoon sa kanila. Basta ang importante, lumalabas ang katotohanan,” Revilla said after the hearing.
He added that he remained confident that he will be granted bail after almost four months in jail.
“I’m happy sa naging resulta ng hearing. Unti-unti lumalabas katotohanan. Nakikita niyo na wala kaming ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Itong pagkakakulong almost four months, nagsasakripisyo tayo. Kaya pa to!” Revilla said.
Revilla is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center as he stands trial for plunder case arising from the pork barrel scam, the purported scheme of using public funds to ghost projects for kickbacks.
The AMLC investigator had told the court that Revilla deposited P87.6 million in his and immediate family members’ bank accounts from April 6, 2006 to April 28, 2010.
This was the same period that principal whistleblower Benhur Luy alleged that Revilla, through his aide and lawyer Richard Cambe, received kickbacks from his projects funded by his PDAF, a euphemism for the pork barrel fund.
AMLC also said Nature Concepts Development and Realty Corp. controlled by Revilla’s wife Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla received substantial amounts worth P27.745 million, the bulk of which were deposited close to the dates Cambe allegedly received Revilla’s kickbacks from Luy.
Revilla and his wife also transferred to the company at least P16 million, Santos said.
The AMLC also noted that Rep. Mercado-Revilla’s company received the money despite having no operations and having insubstantial capital.
Originally posted 3:10 p.m.
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