Aguirre orders NBI probe on digital currency firm

Pimentel on Monday said there is no partnership between the Senate and DCC to release a virtual currency PGC. (PNA photo)

MANILA— Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered a criminal investigation of Digital Currency Co. Ltd. (DCC), a virtual currency firm allegedly using the name of Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III to attract customers.

Aguirre issued Department Order (DO) No.057 on Thursday, ordering National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Dante Gierran to “conduct investigation and case build-up over DCC and a certain ‘Boy Joven’ for their virtual ‘Philippine Global Coin'(PGC) or such other securities or products.”

“If evidence warrants appropriate charges should be filed,” the department order stated.

Pimentel on Monday said there is no partnership between the Senate and DCC to release a virtual currency PGC.

Pimentel made this remark after the DCC claimed that it has partnered with the Senate for the release of the PGC.

He said that the digital currency firm also used pictures of Pimentel to support its claims.

“I am shocked at their bold claims of an agreement between us using pictures that politicians normally have with visitors,” Pimentel said in a press statement.

The Senate President explained that he merely met DCC “as a matter of courtesy” to visitors.

He said the Senate cannot issue currency since it was the job of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Concerned over issues that the DCC might target overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Pimentel warned them to be wary of those who use the names of government officials and institutions in investment schemes.

“The government will never engage in activities that will profit off their sacrifices and hard work,” he added.

He urged OFWs to always check with the Philippine Embassy to verify individual claims of firms that claim to partner with the Senate to issue currency.