AMLC rejects Trillanes request for copy of Pres. Duterte’s bank records

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday said that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has rejected his request for a copy of the bank records of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
(Photo: Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes/Facebook.com)

MANILA—Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday said that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has rejected his request for a copy of the bank records of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press conference, Trillanes showed media a copy of the letter dated March 29, 2017, where the AMLC denied his request saying it would violate the Bank Secrecy Law.

“We regret to inform that your request, which necessarily includes transactions on President Duterte’s bank accounts, is not allowed under Republic Act No. 1405 or the Bank Deposit Secrecy Law,” ALMC Office-in-Charge Georgie Racela said in the letter.

Racela, in the same letter, said that all bank deposits and transactions are “confidential.”

“Under that law, all bank deposits and all transactions related thereto are absolutely confidential and may not be inquired into by any person, government official, bureau or office, subject only to a few exceptions not present in this case,” the letter read.

It further said that the Anti Money Laundering Act could only exercise power when investigating an unlawful activity or a money laundering offense when conducting bank inquiry.

It will only be in position to grant the request if it is an authorized bank inquiry.

Trillanes previously challenged Pres. Duterte to sign a waiver allowing the AMLC to release his records after accusing him of having PHP2 billion worth of secret bank accounts.

He, meanwhile, challenged the President anew to just make his records open to the public.