SENATE probers on Thursday clarified Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. officials higher than dismissed RCBC Jupiter Branch Manager Maia Deguito are not yet in the clear of potential liabilities arising from the $81-million money-laundering case involving stolen funds from the Bank of Bangladesh account at the Federal Reserve in New York.
But Sen. Sergio R. Osmeña III said they leave it up to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to pursue charges against other liable bank officials if it determines that accountability goes beyond Deguito, despite assertions by the lender pinning the blame solely on the shoulder of the branch manager.
“’Yan ang sinasabi ng RCBC,” said Osmeña, quickly adding that the Senate investigating committee “certainly does not believe that anybody would be able to try to remit $951 million, almost a billion dollars, and just talk to the branch manager.”
Whether that meant RCBC President-on leave Lorenzo Tan is off the hook yet, Osmeña replied: “No, he wont be off the hook but we will leave this up to the AMLC.” The senator disclosed the AMLC is “also continuously investigating this case so they will give us their findings.”
He confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation had been asked to join the probe, as well.
“They [NBI] are already in, they’re doing legwork and forensic investigation. But you know its very complicated. Malalaking tao ito so we will be a little bit more persistent and determined in getting to the truth,” the senator added.
Osmeña explained that the focus of the ongoing Senate probe is in aid of crafting remedial legislation to plug gaps in existing laws involving money laundering.
“Ang intention namin dito, kung sino man ang guilty dito, bahala na ’yung AMLC and ’yung courts. Kami ho legislative,” he said.