Iqbal admits having bank account under alias; Escudero cites violation of law

MORO Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal on Monday admitted having a bank account under his alias, prompting Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to point out that the use of aliases is against the law.

During the resumption of the Senate Bangsamoro basic bill hearing on Monday, Escudero asked Iqbal if he has bank accounts under his name, to which Iqbal answered yes.

“Pinagbabawal ng Anti-Money Laundering Law ang gumamit ng ibang pangalan. Ang pwede lang gamitin ang totoong pangalan. So even in bank accounts, you’re using Iqbal?”

“Yes,” Iqbal answered.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, during a House of Representatives hearing, has also said Iqbal’s use of alias in public documents is a violation of the anti-alias law.

Speaking after the hearing, Iqbal said his use of aliases should not be the issue in the midst of the ongoing peace process.

Senators critical of Iqbal’s use of alias said the nom de guerre puts to question the sincerity of the MILF in the peace process that will be implemented by the BBL.

Iqbal has pleaded to senators not to compel him to reveal his name, citing security risks to him and his family.

Iqbal is accused of using different names in his passports, especially after the Bureau of Immigration said the name Mohagher Iqbal is not in its travel records.

Speculations were also rife that Iqbal is actually a Malaysian citizen. Iqbal has denied the allegation.

The peace panel and even Justice Secretary Leila De Lima have said Iqbal’s use of aliases does not invalidate the peace deal documents. AC