MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese-Filipino businessman tagged as Vice President Jejomar Binay’s dummy had allegedly withdrawn millions of pesos from a bank in Quezon City last July, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV told a Senate hearing on Wednesday.
Trillanes made the disclosure after the businessman, Antonio Tiu, confirmed during the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee that he has an account with Banco de Oro branch in Banawe, Quezon City.
The senator then asked Tiu if he made any withdrawals from the bank sometime in July.
“I’m not waiving any bank secrecy law,” the businessman said.
“You’re not, you’re not. Kasi you’ve been very upfront so would you happen to at least give us an idea how much money you withdrew at that time?”Trillanes asked.
And when the businessman refused to answer his query, the senator volunteered the information that Tiu supposedly withdrew hundreds of millions of pesos from the said bank.
“Well, just to inform the subcommittee Mr. Chairman, merong kaming mga testigo na magsasabi that Mr. Tony Tiu withdrew hundreds of millions of pesos in cash in that bank. Would you confirm that Mr. Tony Tiu?” Trillanes said.
“Your honor, do you have any documents to prove (your claim)?”Tiu asked the senator.
“No, no I’m just asking you. You are not allowed to ask,” said the senator.
At this point, Tiu invoked his right against disclosing any of his bank transactions.
“’Yun ang maliwanag,” Trillanes said.
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