Comelec's Garcia says 2 Cayman Islands banks denied his alleged offshore accounts

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday said two banks in the Cayman Islands have issued certifications that his alleged offshore accounts were non-existent. 

Interviewed over Super Radyo dzBB, Garcia said he reached out to the Scotiabank and Cayman National Bank online to inquire if there were bank accounts in their system under his name. 

“Sinagot ako mismo na wala akong account at walang pangalang ganon sa kanilang system sa kanilang bangko,” Garcia said. 

(The banks responded and said there were no accounts under my name in their system.)

“At least, napatunayan natin na wala akong account sa dalawang bangko sa Cayman Islands,” he added. 

(At least, we proved we have no accounts in the Cayman Islands banks.)

Garcia said he would present the bank certifications to the media on Thursday, August 8. 

Last week, Sagip party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta linked Garcia anew to two offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands which allegedly received deposits from South Korean banks.

Marcoleta said that he and his team were able to verify that the two offshore accounts belonged to Garcia by depositing money and asking for a bank receipt, which allegedly yielded the latter's name.

But Garcia questioned the transaction, saying some individuals successfully deposited money to the alleged bank accounts under Marcoleta’s name. 

“Itong mga kababayan natin, nagkani-kaniyang deposito rin dun sa account number na 'yun tapos pinangalan sa mismong nagpresscon, pumasok po eh. Ibig sabihin hindi pala ako ang may-ari?” he added. 

(Some people deposited money to the account number and put the name of the person who held the press conference, the money went through. It means I am not the owner of the account.)

Marcoleta wants NBI, AMLC to refute bank accounts

For his part, Marcoleta said “neutral” agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) should refute the legitimacy of Garcia’s alleged offshore bank accounts. 

“Ang mga pahayag na ‘yan, napakadaling gawin. Ang katibayan ang mahirap… Kung siya nagpatulong na sa NBI, dapat NBI na nagsasalita. Hindi na nanggagaling sa Comelec para hindi biased,” Marcoleta told Super Radyo dzBB. 

(It’s easy to make statements but it’s hard to produce proof. If he sought the NBI’s help then the NBI should refute the alleged bank accounts, not the Comelec so it won't be biased.)

“Dapat manggaling na sa neutral agency tulad ng NBI o kaya AMLC para wala nang pagdududa,” he added.

(It should come from neutral agencies like NBI or AMLC to curb doubts.)

This is not the first time the lawmaker accused Garcia of owning offshore accounts that receive bribery money. Last month, Marcoleta  questioned the contract awarding of Comelec amid the alleged existence of 49 offshore bank accounts which received money from South Korean banks. 

Garcia previously admitted he was the poll body official being alluded to but denied owning any foreign bank accounts or properties abroad.  He has also since requested the NBI and AMLC to formally investigate the accusations and issued secrecy waivers against the involved bank accounts.

The poll chief earlier said he was eyeing filing charges against individuals behind the alleged demolition job.—AOL, GMA Integrated News