Palace: Probe of $81-M laundering to ‘leave no stone unturned’

Malacañang Palace on Saturday expressed confidence that the investigation into the alleged money laundering scheme involving an $81 million cross-border remittance would be “no holds barred” and “leave no stone unturned.”

Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon said he was confident that the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Central Bank would do their jobs faithfully to shed more light and accountability on the issue.

“Ang siguro mahalaga dito, nakikita natin na epektibo ang paggalaw or ang pagpatupad ng kanilang mandato pagdating sa AMLC at sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It should be a cause of reassurance for us that even when there are alleged situations of this nature, unang-una na-detect; pangalawa, inimbestiga; pangatlo, ibinalita sa media para wala namang nililihim,” Quezon said over state-run dzRB.

“Kaya I think what we should do is follow the story but at the same time recognize na it’s a very reassuring sign from the part of AMLC and the BSP na nagiging klaro ang sitwasyon and we are confident that their investigations will leave no stone unturned dahil ang nakataya dito ang kumpiyansa hindi lang ng mga dayuhan kundi ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino sa integridad ng sistema ng mga bangko sa ating bayan,” he added.

Quezon said the BSP and the AMLC were expected to conduct a “100 percent deep investigation” as the credibility of the Philippine banking system was at stake.

“While, of course, every accused person has a right to a thorough defense. Any finding of wrongdoing is also entitled to a thorough investigation,” he added.

The Senate also scheduled an investigation next week on the alleged laundering by unknown computer hackers from the Bangladesh Bank’s account in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York through the Philippine financial system.

Key personalities were summoned by the Senate, including Maia Santos-Deguito, manager of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) branch on Jupiter Street in Makati City, who allegedly allowed the transfer of money into five accounts in her branch without scrutiny. RC

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