Carpio sues AMLC, solons for ‘illegal, felonious’ disclosure of bank records

MANILA, Philippines—Criminal complaints were filed by Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday against officials of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and several high-profile lawmakers.

The charges stem from the “illegal and felonious” public disclosure of his confidential bank records that the respondents reportedly committed.

The individuals who are facing complaints for alleged violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Bank Secrecy Law and Data Privacy Act include Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Chairperson and Eli Remolona Jr., AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, Representatives Gerville Luistro (House committee on justice chairperson), Percival Cendaña, Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno and Leila de Lima.

The complaint stems from April 22 hearing of the House Committee on Justice, where AMLC reports detailing Carpio’s transactions from 2006 to 2025 were unraveled before the general public.

Atty. Peter Paul Danao, counsel for Carpio, emphasized that the law provides no exceptions for the AMLC to disclose information “in any manner” without a court order or the depositor’s consent.

“The AMLC and its secretariat shall not in any way disclose any information in any manner,” Danao stated, citing Section 8-A of RA 9160 (AMLA). 

“If Congress wanted an exception, they should have written it into the law. There is no exception,” he added.

He questioned why a private citizen like Atty. Carpio is being dragged into the proceedings when it should only cover the vice president’s term of office.

“[The subpoena covers the years 2006 to 2025. Atty. Carpio is not a politician. So, if you were in his shoes—just a regular person—and your entire life was suddenly exposed, wouldn’t you protest too?” he asked.

INQUIRER has reached out to get the side of the respondents. /apl