MANILA, Philippines — Former Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers reminded Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team that the impeachment proceedings are centered on the Vice President, not Ronel Buenaventura, the executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Secretariat.
Barbers, who serves as a spokesperson and adviser to the House prosecution panel, made the statement Tuesday, October 6, after members of Duterte’s defense team questioned Buenaventura during cross-examination.
Buenaventura testified for the prosecution on Monday and Tuesday, with his testimony being presented as part of the evidence concerning allegations of unexplained wealth against Duterte.
“If you have observed yung pagtatanong kay Executive Director Buenaventura, let me remind the members of the defense, hindi naman si Executive Director Buenaventura is on trial dito,” Barbers said.
Barbers particularly pointed to the questioning by defense lawyer Atty. Mark Vinluan regarding the confidentiality provisions under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
“Clearly, yung pagtatanong sa cross is considered to be a sort of a veiled threat against the AMLC executive director, at tsaka siyempre nabanggit niya dito yung media,” Barbers said.
During the cross-examination, Vinluan cited provisions of the AMLA that impose penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of AMLC records and information. He noted that the restrictions apply not only to AMLC officials and employees but also to members of the media who publish information allegedly disclosed in violation of the law.
Barbers said the defense’s line of questioning appeared intended to discourage the disclosure of information that falls within the AMLC’s mandate.
“So malinaw yung pananakot para siguro hindi maipalabas kung ano man ang mga informasyon na hawak o nasa loob ng mandato ng [AMLC],” the former lawmaker said.
He also noted that the impeachment court had already denied the defense’s attempt to prevent Buenaventura from testifying based on confidentiality concerns.
“So I guess itong defense is not doing their homework. Remember this has already been repeatedly ruled by no less than the presiding officer na walang issue tungkol dito sa confidentiality,” he pointed out.
Barbers said that if the defense believes AMLC officials committed violations involving confidential information, the matter should be brought before the appropriate legal forum rather than raised as part of the impeachment proceedings.
“If they have any issues regarding breach of confidentiality or laws that have been violated by the AMLC executive director, this is not the proper court or proper forum. They should do it. They should file charges against him kung meron silang nakikita,” he said.
He stressed that the impeachment court should instead concentrate on the evidence being presented against Duterte.
“Ang importante dito sa ating paglilitis ay inilalabas natin ang katotohanan na sinusuportahan ng dokumento o ng datos. At ang datos ay hindi magsisinungaling. This is a classic example of letting the evidence speak,” he underscored.