Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Jupiter Makati branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito declined to answer questions during the Senate probe Tuesday (March 15) on the alleged money laundering case involving $81 million deposited to the said bank.
In the hearing, Deguito invoked her right against self-incrimination, saying that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has already filed a complaint against her and four others at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Also read: PH money laundering probe: What we know so far
Deguito stressed that while she will remain cooperative with the merits of the investigation, she reserves her right to remain silent because any public statement may be used against her in the criminal proceedings.
However, the bank manager vowed to tell all in an executive session.
“She (Deguito), however, reiterates her intention to testify fully in an executive and confidential session in the best of her ability while protecting her aforementioned rights at the same time,” said Deguito, reading a letter from her legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio.
However, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile is not keen on this idea. He claimed that hearing Deguito in an executive session beats the purpose of doing a “public hearing.”
“The witness is invoking her constitutional right of non-incrimination, so why hear her on an executive session?” asked Enrile. “We are supposed to investigate in aid of legislation and these are public investigations. We are not investigating for anything else.”
A ‘delicate’ matter
Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Deguito deserves to be heard — whether in public or in confidential sessions — as she holds the facts to the incident.
“So if it is the branch manager who dealt with these people who opened the account… She (Deguito) will be in the best position to tell us how did this happen and she’ll be in the best position to tell us was it a conspiracy? Was it a mistake? Is someone involved,” said Cayetano.
The lawmaker reiterated that this money laundering issue is “delicate” because it involves the reputation of the country’s banking industry.
Also read: RCBC chief: I have no knowledge of money laundering
“We do not want to damage any banking institution nor the banking industry,” said Cayetano. “So, you know, if you hear their side, your side, etcetera, the Senate may win, but the banking institutions may all lose and the country will lose.”
Cayetano underscored that some witnesses request for confidential sessions, citing the Senate’s probe on the Mamasapano incident where witnesses from the military and police force were heard in an executive session.
“We heard the AFP, PNP in executive sessions, but the public was well informed,” he said.
Enrile is not ready to budge, as he deemed an executive session will rob the public its right to know the facts hounding the alleged money laundering case.
“Are you saying that we cannot craft a law unless we hear this girl (Deguito)? What is left to craft now in order to cover a situation like this?” insisted Enrile. “We are depriving the public to know whats going on they might suspect that we are covering up for anybody.”
The Senate has yet to decide if Deguito will be heard in an executive session.
The lady bank manager in under fire for her alleged involvement in the money laundering case, where $81 million were deposited to the RCBC Jupiter branch.
Deguito is accused of creating fake accounts under the name of businessman William Go, whose name was used to deposit the said amount to RCBC.
Prior to the investigation, Topacio already declined the involvement of his client Deguito on the controversy.
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