Manila-based panel to handle all complaints against Aman Futures

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima: Manila probe. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice has created a 14-man special panel to handle all complaints filed against Aman Futures Group, the company involved in a pyramid scam that gypped some 15,000 people in the Visayas and Mindanao of P12 billion.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said that all prosecutors in provinces already conducting preliminary investigations on the complaints involving the Aman group are ordered to turn over the complaints to the special panel. De Lima said a total of 8,000 complaints have already been filed against Aman Futures Group.

“All local prosecution offices of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) before which complaints falling within the coverage of the Department order…are hereby directed to immediately transmit and endorse the same to the Special Panel of Prosecutors for the conduct of preliminary investigation,” De Lima said in a Department Order dated November 14 and released Thursday.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor (SASP) Edna Valenzuela heads the panel while SASP Merba Waga is the vice chairperson. Panel members include Asssistant State Prosecutors Natilaine Salvilla, Gino Paolo Santiago, Mari Elvira Herrera, Rex Rassendell Gingoyon, Josie Christina Dugay, Mary Jane Sytat, Amanda Felipe and Prosecuting Attorneys Mark Roland Estepa, Jayyvee Laurence Bandong, Caren Gail De Alban, Omar Cris Casimiro and Gail Stephanie Maderazo.

De Lima said she opted to create a Manila-based panel instead of letting provincial prosecutors in the Visayas and Mindanao handle the case.

“I do not think it is advisable na doon ang preliminary investigation because the emotions are high and siyempre baka may kamag-anak sila. As you know, most of the victims are from there (Visayas and Mindanao). We opted a Manila-based panel so that they are more focused and there is no conflict of interest,” De Lima explained at a news conference.

At the same time, De Lima said that upon the order of President Aquino, a separate national task force will be created to help the National Bureau of Investigation in its probe of Aman Futures.

The task force will be composed of the Department of Justice , Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.