Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has issued a stern warning to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), urging the agency to fulfill its mandate in fighting corruption or risk legal action.
During a press briefing, Remulla emphasized AMLC’s crucial role in providing financial data for investigations conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman.
He criticized any failure to respond to official requests.
“Kaya nga gusto ko kausapin muli itong AMLC tungkol sa pagtupad nila sa kanilang katungkulan sapagkat alam n’yo naman, hindi dapat banking industry ang kanilang pinangangalagaan, kung hindi ‘yung mga pag-violate ng batas ng mga kawani ng gobyerno. Kasi ang trabaho naman namin talaga anti-corruption,” he said.
He warned that non-compliance could have serious consequences:
“If they will not come up with it, then we have a problem as a country. Hindi nila puwedeng blangkuhin ang katanungan ng Office of the Ombudsman. Dapat gumanap sila, kung hindi sila mismo ang kakasuhan namin.”
Remulla also raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest among some AMLC officials, citing possible ties with the banking sector that may influence their decisions:
“Baka naman ‘yung attitude ng iba diyan gusto nila magkaroon pa rin ng mga kaibigan sa banking industry para doon sila lumipat ‘pag wala na sila sa AMLC… Dapat bawal po iyan. Huwag na sila magpa-empleyo sa mga bangko pagkatapos kasi nga conflict of interest iyan,” he added.
The Ombudsman’s statements underscore mounting pressure on AMLC to align its operations with the government’s anti-corruption initiatives and signal readiness to hold officials accountable for lapses in duty.