On Monday during his speech in the 80th anniversary of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), President Rodrigo Duterte called out the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for being unsuccessful in fulfilling its mandate.
“You are part of the garbage that I resent to this day. Do not give me a reason for a public confrontation. Ipalabas niyo ang mali dyan. There are billions there in banks who are really being washed or just being kept there for the meantime,” Duterte said.
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The mandate of AMLC is to implement the provisions set in the Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001. Its principal obligation is to protect the integrity and confidentiality of bank accounts and guarantee that the Philippines shall not be exploited as a money laundering site for the profits of any unlawful movement.
According to the President, however, AMLC is giving the Department of Justice (DOJ) a hard time in gathering information in relation to the investigation on illegal drug transactions in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
“The Secretary of Justice now said you are hard to deal with. You better go to the Secretary of Justice or I will go to you,” warned Duterte.
The DOJ has been requesting documents from the AMLC for months now that are in relation to the various drug transactions in the prison for their investigation.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II affirmed they have received documents but are still requesting more from AMLC, which they are currently waiting for.
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Among these documents are the alleged bank transactions between inmates and Senator Leila De Lima.
The President also questioned AMLC for failing to investigate on Senator Antonio Trillanes’ accusation against him, stating that he owned P211 million in bank deposits. “I was just curious; if I had that money, why did you not initiate an investigation for I really have none.”
Duterte further warns AMLC, “You choose, either we cooperate in this government as a republic to protect and preserve our people. Do not make it hard for us or I will make it hard for you.”
Source: (newsinfo.inquirer.net)
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