The House Committee on Justice on Wednesday pressed forward with hearings on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, as lawmakers debated issues surrounding transparency including bank secrecy, and accountability in public office.
The Committee on Justice, chaired by Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” R. Luistro of Batangas’ 2nd District, tackled the agenda amid renewed scrutiny of financial transparency laws and the authority of investigative bodies.
During her opening statement, Luistro stressed that the country’s bank secrecy law was never intended to shield unexplained wealth or block scrutiny of suspicious financial activity.
“Hindi nilikha ang bank secrecy law para maging taguan ng hindi maipaliwanag na yaman. Ang layunin ng bank secrecy law ay protektahan ang lehitimong deposito, hindi pagtakpan ang kahina-hinalang galaw ng bilyon-bilyong piso,” Luistro said.
She added that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) plays a key role in examining suspicious transactions and reporting them to authorities, emphasizing that disclosure in aid of accountability is not a violation of the law.
“If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to obstruct. The only people who fear the disclosure of these transactions are those with dirty secrets,” Luistro said.
“Transparency is the only response of those with integrity. Everything else is just an excuse,” she added.
Luistro also noted that previous attempts to challenge the committee’s authority to issue subpoenas had not resulted in any restraining order or directive from the Supreme Court, allowing proceedings to continue.
“Tandaan natin, dati pa nilang sinubukan na harangin sa Korte Suprema ang kapangyarihan ng komite na mag-issue ng subpoena. Pero hanggang ngayon, walang temporary restraining order o kahit direktiba galing sa Supreme Court. Kaya malinaw, we shall proceed,” she said.
The committee chair also cited earlier statements from the Vice President’s camp indicating readiness to respond before the Senate, while noting separate warnings and counter-complaints allegedly directed at lawmakers involved in the process.
“Una, nagdeklara sila na handa silang sumagot sa Senado. Pangalawa, sinabihan tayo na mag-ingat. Pangatlo, may panibagong reklamo laban sa amin,” Luistro said.
The committee proceeded with the hearing as scheduled on April 29, continuing deliberations on the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Duterte.
