Escudero junks defense bid to block AMLC chief's testimony at VP trial
A Philippine impeachment court has ruled that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) chief can testify regarding financial transactions involving the Vice President. The defense had attempted to block the testimony, citing confidentiality laws, but the court determined that legal processes take precedence.
Why it matters
This ruling is a significant development in the impeachment proceedings, potentially allowing for the disclosure of sensitive financial evidence.
MANILA, Philippines - Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero allowed the chief of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to testify on financial transactions involving Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
This was after the defense panel, through lawyer Mark Vinluan, had moved to exclude AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura as a witness, arguing that confidentiality rules under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) also apply to impeachment proceedings.
"Walang tinatago ang Bise Presidente, ngunit ang mga datos ay dapat dumaan sa tamang proseso ng pagberipika nang naaayon sa batas at hindi dapat ibalandra ang mga ito sa publiko sa pamamaraang mali, malisyoso at ang tanging layon ay pamumulitika lamang," Vinluan said at the proceedings on Monday, October 5.
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