Gatchalian: No law violated in releasing Alice Guo’s information

FILE PHOTO: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian —SENATE PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian defended the upper chamber and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) over the public disclosure of information on suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.

According to Gatchalian, the Senate and AMLC did not violate any policies for releasing information to the public regarding Guo’s case, including her 36 bank accounts.

In a press conference Friday, the senator made clear that the disclosed information is all public records, considering that the Court of Appeals (CA)  already ordered the freezing of Guo’s assets.

“Kaya nga inantay muna ng Senado na i-file, at inantay din ng Senado magkaroon ng ruling dahil kung wala namang ruling ang CA, ibig sabihin walang probable cause. So may ruling na at ‘yung records nasa CA na, so anyone can ask for those records dahil nga it forms part of public records na,” Gatchalian explained.

(That’s why the Senate waited for it to be filed, the Senate also waited for the ruling because if the CA did not rule, then there’s no probable cause. So there’s a ruling, and the records are also in CA, so anyone can ask for those records because they form part of public records already.)

READ: Alice Guo’s assets frozen by CA

Gatchalian’s remark was a reaction to reports that Guo’s legal counsel, Atty. Stephen David, complained about the release of his client’s bank account details to the public. The lawyer said it violates the rights of Guo.

In a text message to Senate reporters on Friday, David maintained that bank account details are “confidential matters.”

“Cover[ed] ‘yan ng Bank Secrecy Law at Data Privacy Act. Bakit na-divulge sa public ‘yung mga ganyan na usapan?” he asked.

(That is covered under the Bank Secrecy Law and the Data Privacy Act. Why did they divulge it to the public?)

READ: Alice Guo’s dad likely involved with illegal Pogos, too – Gatchalian

But during the press conference, Gatchalian insisted that the Senate and AMLC committed no violation for releasing such information.

“Wala, walang violation because that forms part of public records, and anyone can go to the courts to ask for that petition. In fact, ‘yung mga kaso dahil notarized ‘yan, it forms part of public records, hindi naman ‘yan top secret. Kasama ‘yan sa petition,” he emphasized.

(No, there’s no violation because that form of public records, and anyone can go to the courts to ask for that petition. These cases are notarized, so it form part of public records and are not top secret. It’s included in the petition.)they

The AMLC on Thursday evening informed Gatchalian’s office that it has successfully secured the freeze order on Guo’s assets from the CA, marking a significant milestone in the investigation of Guo and others who are linked to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators in the country.

The freeze order encompasses a wide range of assets, including 90 bank accounts across 14 financial institutions and several real properties and high-value personal properties such as luxury vehicles and a helicopter.