Senators hold executive session to hear Deguito’s testimony

Maia S. Deguito, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) branch manager. AP FILE PHOTO

Senators held a closed-door meeting on Thursday to hear the testimony of Maia Santos-Deguito, branch manager of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), who is at the center of the alleged $81 million money laundering scheme.

Deguito has been requesting the Senate blue ribbon committee to hear her testimony in an executive session, citing the case that has already been filed against her in connection with her alleged involvement in the scheme.

The committee finally acceded to the request of Deguito after Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile moved to cite the branch manager in contempt for refusing to answer his question whether or not there was a threat to her life after she was embroiled in the controversy.

This was after Romualdo Agarrado, former customers service head of the branch, earlier quoted Deguito as saying that “I’d rather do this than me being killed or my family.”

READ: P20 million cash loaded to RCBC branch head’s vehicle—witness

Agarrado said Deguito made the remark in front of him and assistant branch manager Angela Torres in the morning of February 9.

However, Deguito denied making such statement, saying she was willing to tell all in an executive session.

“Hindi po totoo yung sinabi nya na may ganoon (akong) sinabi. Ipapaliwanag ko na lang po nang buo lahat sa executive session pero wala po akong sinabi na ganun,” she said.

(It is not true that I said that. I will explain the whole matter in an executive session but I did not say that.)

“Magsalita ka ng katotohanan dito kung hindi (Tell the truth or) I’ll make a motion to hold you in contempt,” an irate Enrile said.

“Hindi naman po akong tumatangging sumagot, humihingi lang po ako ng executive session,” Deguito said.

(I am not refusing to answer, I am just asking for an executive session [to answer these questions].)

“Hindi pwedeng executive session, hindi mo sasabihin sa amin kung ano ang gusto mo. Nanumpa ka dito na magsabi ka ng katotohanan (We cannot resort to an executive session, you cannot just tell us what you want. You have sworn to tell the truth). Mr. Chair, you better warn this witness, otherwise, I will make a motion to hold her in contempt and we will detain her here,” said the senator.

However, Deguito again invoked her right against self-incrimination and appealed for consideration from the senators.

READ: RCBC branch manager invokes right vs self-incrimination at Senate probe

“Patas lang dito, ikaw ang pinangalingan nitong gulo na ito. Ikaw ang nakakaalam lahat nito, bakit hihingi ka ng executive session…? Sabihin mo muna sa amin ang dahilan bakit gusto mo ng executive session? Natatakot ka ba? Tinatakot ka ba? O meron bang makakasunog sa banking system natin?” Enrile said.

(We are just being fair, you are the source of this mess. You are privy to this matter, so why would you ask for an executive session? Tell us first why you would opt for an executive session. Are you afraid? Are they scaring you? Or would anyone or anything destroy our banking system?)

And when the branch manager tried to reason out again, the senator said: “Mr. Chair, I don’t want to argue with the witness. I’m making a motion to hold this witness in contempt.”

The committee suspended the proceeding and when it resumed, its members agreed to hear Deguito’s testimony in a closed-door meeting. RAM