Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has petitioned the Court of Appeals (CA) to freeze the bank accounts of Vice President Jejomar Binay totaling P600 million, now it has been granted.
The order was issued in connection with the investigations being conducted by the office of the Ombudsman on the alleged corruption in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II and Makati Science High School.
It included the bank accounts of son Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., his wife and the alleged dummies of the mayor Gerardo Limlingan, Eduviges Baloloy, AAntonio Tiu, Lily Hernandez Crystal, Carmelita Palo Galvan, Francisco Balaguer Baloloy, Bernadette Cezar Portollano, Mitzi Sedillo, Margeurite Lichnock, Melissa Gay Castañeda Limlingan, Victor Limlingan, James Lee Tiu, Pee Feng Lee, Ann Lorraine Buencamino Tiu, Frederick Dueñas Baloloy, Mario Alejo Oreta, Jose Orillaza, Daniel Subido, Man Bun Chong, Joy Mercado and Omni General Services Inc.
The 33-page order rooted from the complaints filed by Nicolas Enciso VI and Renato Bondal in the office of the Ombudsman.
“The ex parte petition for the issuance of a frozen order is granted. A freeze order is hereby issued valid and effective immediately for a period of six months,” said the order by the CA’s First Division. It said Binay’s accounts in banks, insurance and securities companies should be frozen “wherever they may be found.”
Bank account of whistle-blower Ernesto Mercado, Binay’s former vice mayor was also included in the order.
242 banks, securities, and insurance accounts of the aforementioned were covered in the court order. While covering Binay accounts totaling P600 million, transactions conducted by Binay, his family and alleged dummies totaled P16 billion since 2008 as examined by AMLC.
AMLC stated that there was “probable cause to believe that the individual and joint bank accounts of investments made by, and insurance policies issued” to Binay, his son and associates were “related to unlawful activities” to which the court agreed.
The AMLC’s initial investigation already indicate a pre-termination of investments as well as withdrawals and transfer o large amounts of funds from bank accounts sought to be frozen.
“In the light of the foregoing and the sheer number of monetary instruments involved and the AMLC’s declaration that it still needs to conduct further financial investigation for the possible filing of appropriate legal actions against the respondents, we find the issuance of a freeze order, effective for a period of six months against the aforementioned bank accounts, insurance, policies and investments warranted,” the court said.
H/T: Inquirer.net; and photo