Calida says AMLC not the source of Carandang’s documents

Solicitor General Jose Calida on Wednesday denied that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) was the source of documents regarding President Rodrigo Duterte's alleged bank accounts.

Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang had said he requested the AMLC for a final validation on the bank transaction records of the First Family.

At a press conference, Calida said he received a letter from AMLC saying, "In response to your letter dated 2 October 2017, it is hereby confirmed that a statement to the effect that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is not the source of the documents and information attached to the Complaint of Senator Trillanes IV, and that the AMLC has not provided the Office of the Ombudsman with any report on subject accounts, was indeed issued."

Calida said he personally sought AMLC's confirmation because it is their office's client, and added that Carandang "failed to fulfill his mandate under the Constitution."

"Deputy Carandang imprudently stated that he has in his possession certain records of President Duterte's bank transactions obtained from the AMLC. Moreover, Carandang added that these documents purportedly from AMLC were the same as those submitted by Senator Trillanes," Calida said.

"These public statements recklessly issued by Carandang unfairly created the impression that he has authentic records from the AMLC, showing billions of pesos allegedly in the account of President Duterte," he added.

"You will be held liable under the law. The AMLC should not be used for political persecution and harassment. Unfortunately, Deputy Ombudsman Carandang willingly allowed himself to be a tool of political harassment," Calida said.

The Solicitor General warned that Carandang could face charges for "fraudulent acts."

"I have the list of possible crimes that can be filed against Carandang. Number one is Section 14 of Republic Act  9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), letter C... malicious reporting... another possible offense, Ombudsman Act RA 6770 Section 15 and of course administrative cases can be filed against him," Calida said.

Under the AMLA, any person who, with malice, or in bad faith, reports or files a completely unwarranted or false information relative to money laundering transactions against any person shall be subject to a penalty of six months to four years' imprisonment and a fine not less than P100,000.

Calida also said AMLC has yet to evaluate Carandang's supposed request. — RSJ/BM, GMA News