Deguito denies money laundering raps

MANILA, Philippines – Former Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito denied yesterday the money laundering charges filed against her in connection with the $80.9 million stolen by hackers from the Bangladesh Bank and laundered to the country.

In a 15-page counter-affidavit, Deguito asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the complaint for violation of Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act filed against her by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) last March.

Deguito’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the complaint should be dismissed for lack of probable cause. She refused to grant journalists’ request for an interview.

In her affidavit, Dequito denied facilitating the laundering of the stolen money, insisting that it was former RCBC president Lorenzo Tan who ordered her to open the four fictitious accounts where the $80.1 million was deposited.

She said all transactions at her branch had the approval of Tan, and the bank officials are using her as a scapegoat to avoid criminal liability.

Topacio asked for another extension for the filing of their reply to the charges, citing the recent complaint filed by the AMLC against the executives of remittance firm Philrem Service, where part of the laundered money reportedly went.

The AMLC lawyers opposed the move, calling it a dilatory tactic.

Assistant state prosecutor Gilmarie Fe Pacamarra denied Topacio’s request, saying the respondent was given enough time when she was granted an extension during a hearing on April 12.

Topacio questioned the motive of the AMLC in rushing the preliminary investigation of the case at the DOJ.

“We are puzzled why the money laundering council is rushing to end the hearing at the DOJ without first filing charges against the RCBC officials. When will they run after those who are really behind the laundering?” he said.

Meanwhile, the camp of casino junket operator Kim Wong did not file an answer to the charges, and instead appealed the decision of the prosecutor.

Casino operator Weikang Xu did not appear or send a representative.