Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro has made it clear that the Bank Secrecy Law cannot be weaponized to hide the questionable financial records of public officials, especially during an impeachment proceeding.
As the chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, Luistro emphasized that the Constitutional mandate for public accountability holds supreme authority when transparency is at stake.
“Hindi nilikha ang bank secrecy para maging taguan ng hindi maipaliwanag na yaman,” Luistro declared. “Ang layunin ng bank secrecy ay protektahan ang lehitimong deposito, hindi pagtakpan ang kahina-hinalang galaw ng bilyon-bilyong piso.”
The solon’s remarks were a direct response to the legal challenges posed by Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Carpio recently filed criminal complaints against House members, as well as officials from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), alleging violations of bank secrecy and data privacy.
Luistro defended the role of the AMLC, stating that the agency is simply fulfilling its duty to flag and report irregularities involving massive sums of money.
“Ang papel ng AMLC ay siyasatin ang mga kahina-hinalang transaksyon at iulat ang mga ito sa kinauukulan, dahil ang pagpapalabas ng katotohanan ay hindi paglabag, kundi pagsunod lamang sa mas mataas na prinsipyo ng pananagutan,” she noted.
According to Luistro, the vigorous legal pushback from the Vice President’s camp suggests an attempt to suppress evidence rather than follow due process. She argued that those with nothing to hide should welcome the opportunity for clarification.
“If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to hide, no reason to obstruct,” Luistro said. “The only people who fear the disclosure of these transactions are those with dirty secrets.”
The lawmaker further pointed out that the Vice President’s legal team has already attempted to block the committee’s subpoena powers through the Supreme Court.
However, Luistro observed that the high court has yet to take action on the matter.
“Pero hanggang ngayon, walang TRO o kahit anong direktiba galing sa Supreme Court,” she added.
With no judicial order halting the proceedings, Luistro maintained that the committee remains steadfast in its pursuit of the truth, insisting that integrity is proven through disclosure, not delays.
“Transparency is the only response of those with integrity; everything else is just an excuse,” she concluded.