A House prosecutor pushed back against concerns over the disclosure of financial intelligence records in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial, insisting that lawmakers acted within their constitutional mandate.
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, the lead prosecutor, said Monday that the House of Representatives did not violate the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) when its Justice Committee subpoenaed and discussed records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
“Kami po’y naninindigan: walang nilabag na batas, either the Anti-Money Laundering Act, noong nag-conduct kami ng clarificatory hearing, noong nag-issue kami ng subpoena kaugnay ng AMLC records,” Luistro said at a post-trial press briefing.
Her statement followed the testimony of AMLC Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura before the Senate impeachment court on financial transactions involving Duterte, her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, and corporations in which they held interests.
During cross-examination, defense lawyer Mark Vinluan repeatedly questioned Buenaventura about the confidentiality of AMLC information. He also raised possible criminal liability for unauthorized disclosure, including imprisonment of eight to 15 years and a fine of P500,000 to P1 million.
Luistro said the House Justice Committee, which she chairs, exercised its constitutional authority to initiate impeachment proceedings when it conducted hearings and subpoenaed AMLC records.
“In as far as the House is concerned, we maintain the position that everything that happened in the Justice Committee, including the plenary, in relation to this impeachment case, is part of our mandate and therefore falls under the exception to the confidentiality of data of AMLA, or AMLC,” she said.
She also warned that invoking possible criminal liability over the disclosure of AMLC information could discourage journalists from covering the proceedings.
“I am apprehensive that it might cause some chilling effect, especially to the media,” Luistro said.
She said media coverage of the impeachment trial involves the dissemination of information concerning a matter of public interest.
Luistro added that the impeachment court had already ruled on the confidentiality issue. She said any party seeking to challenge that ruling should elevate the matter to the Supreme Court.
She maintained that the House had carefully examined the law throughout the impeachment proceedings and remained confident that it did not breach AMLC confidentiality rules.
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