Escudero: Binay shouldn’t hide behind bank secrecy law

Sen. Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Vice President Jejomar Binay should not hide behind the bank secrecy law if the Court of Appeals (CA) has indeed ordered to freeze his bank accounts, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Wednesday.

“If true, this is no longer a mere allegation being hurled at him by a political opponent but, rather, a serious accusation that he should answer and address squarely,” Escudero, a member of the majority bloc, said in a text message to reporters.

“He should no longer ignore nor sweep this under the rug. Neither should he hide behind secrecy/confidentiality rules on AMLC/bank deposits. He owes the people nothing less,” he added.

AMLC is Anti-Money Laundering Council.

READ: Binay camp: LP has AMLC report

Escudero campaigned for Binay in 2010 until they reportedly had a falling out when the senator chose to run under the Liberal Party-led coalition ticket in 2013.

The CA issued last Monday a freeze order on Binay’s bank accounts in connection with the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation on alleged irregularities in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II and Makati Science High School.

READ: Court freezes Binay assets

The order also covered bank accounts of Binay’s son Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., his wife Elenita and his alleged dummies like Gerardo Limlingan, Eduviges Baloloy and Antonio Tiu, among others. IDL