The House Committee on Justice urged the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte not to invoke the bank secrecy law as a shield against scrutiny into alleged unexplained wealth, as impeachment proceedings continue in the House of Representatives.
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, committee chair, said constitutional requirements on public accountability take precedence in impeachment cases, particularly when financial records are under review.
“Hindi nilikha ang bank secrecy para maging taguan ng hindi maipaliwanag na yaman,” Luistro said.
“Ang layunin nito ay protektahan ang lehitimong deposito, hindi pagtakpan ang kahina-hinalang galaw ng bilyon-bilyong piso,” she added.
Luistro made the statement as the panel continued examining financial transactions linked to Duterte, amid renewed objections to the disclosure and use of records from financial monitoring agencies.
She emphasized that the role of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is defined by law and should not be questioned simply because its findings may be politically sensitive.
“Ang papel ng AMLC ay siyasatin ang mga kahina-hinalang transaksyon at iulat ang mga ito sa kinauukulan,” she said. “Ang pagpapalabas ng katotohanan ay hindi paglabag, kundi pagsunod sa mas mataas na prinsipyo ng pananagutan.”
Luistro said continued resistance to disclosure only heightens concerns that efforts are being made to prevent information from becoming public.
“If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to hide, no reason to obstruct,” she said. “The only people who fear disclosure are those with dirty secrets.”
She added that financial transparency in impeachment proceedings requires full disclosure, not delay tactics or legal maneuvers to restrict access to records.
“Transparency is the only response of those with integrity; everything else is just an excuse,” Luistro said.
Luistro also noted that earlier attempts by the Duterte camp to block the committee’s subpoena powers had already been brought before the Supreme Court, but no restraining order was issued.
“At tandaan natin: sinubukan na nilang harangin sa Supreme Court ang kapangyarihan ng Komite na mag-issue ng subpoena. Pero hanggang ngayon, walang TRO o anumang direktiba mula rito,” she said.
With no legal barrier in place, Luistro said the committee will continue its work based on evidence and its constitutional mandate.
“Kaya malinaw: we shall proceed,” she said.