After AMLC's refusal to cooperate, Trillanes seeks Duterte wealth probe anew
"I am calling on the Senate Committee on Banks to conduct an inquiry so we could summon the AMLC and question the legality of its refusal to comply with the Ombudsman's request."
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday urged the Senate's Committee on Banks to conduct a probe into the alleged P2-billion wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The senator's renewed call for the Senate comes after the Office of the Ombudsman, on Thursday, said that the Anti-Money Laundering Council "refused" to provide documents pertinent to the case, resulting in a termination of the fact-finding investigation.
READ: Trillanes seeks probe on Duterte's alleged hidden wealth
Trillanes, in a statement, noted that the fact-finding investigation met a roadblock with the AMLC. He has turned to the Senate to conduct a probe on his allegations against the president.
"I am calling on the Senate Committee on Banks to conduct an inquiry so we could summon the AMLC and question the legality of its refusal to comply with the Ombudsman's request," Trillanes said in a statement.
Trillanes, one of the staunchest critics of the Duterte, has earlier filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into potential violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) by Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
The senator earlier said that the Dutertes may have "undisclosed 'covered' transactions." These are cash transactions above P500,000 and transactions in jewelry and precious metals above P1 million, which are in violation of the AMLA.
He also pointed out that it was Duterte who designated the executive of the dirty money watchdog.
AMLC influenced?
"Let us remember that the executive director of AMLC was appointed by Duterte and has since been proactively protecting his political master," Trillanes said.
Accountant-lawyer Mel Georgie Racela was tasked to be the officer-in-charge of the AMLC in February last year. He officially assumed executive director position of the dirty money watchdog council in September 2017.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, an independent central monetary authority, has supervision over the AMLC.
The council is composed of three members: Governor of the BSP as chairman, Insurance Commission commissioner and the Securities and Exchange Commission chairman. It is assisted by a secretariat, headed by Racela, as its executive director.
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