A lawyer from the Anti-Money Laundering Council testifies before the anti-graft court that the unit noted suspicious transactions and red flags in the cash outflow and inflow of the senator and members of his family
MANILA, Philippines – Did dirty money from businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles reach Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr, now detained after he was charged with plunder?
On Thursday, October 9, before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan, a much-awaited testimony by a representative of the government's financial intelligence unit revealed that cash deposits amounting to over P87 million made to Revilla's and his family members' accounts were consistent with the financial records of state witness Benhur Luy.
The time of deposits occurred within 30 days after supposed kickbacks over the pork barrel scam were delivered from Napoles to Revilla, as recorded by Luy who served as her financial officer back then.
The deposits were made from April 6, 2006 to April 28, 2010, years covered by the plunder case against Revilla for the alleged misuse of P224 million ($5 million)* in his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel.
The testimony of lawyer Leigh Vhon Santos of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) comes following strong criticism from the defense teams that the prosecution has failed so far to offer proof that Revilla gained directly from the scam.
Earlier witnesses in the months-long hearing admitted to not seeing the senator directly deal with or receive money from Napoles. It was Revilla's aide and now co-accused Richard Cambe who was seen collecting his boss' commissions.
The Sandiganbayan First Division is hearing the pleas for bail of Revilla, Napoles, and Cambe, all charged with plunder and 16 counts of graft in relation to the scam.
The scam involves Napoles giving wads of cash as kickbacks to lawmakers like Revilla in exchange for enabling her dummy foundations to corner their PDAF. Liquidation reports were fabricated to feign the implementation of government projects.
Napoles' lawyer Lanee Cui-David preemptively dismissed movements in Revilla's accounts as mere circumstantial evidence, short of proof the money came from Napoles. (READ: Will Cambe take the fall for his senator-boss Bong Revilla?)
Lawyers of Revilla, Cambe, and Napoles blocked Santos' testimony, arguing that his knowledge as AMLC officer has nothing to do with the senator's plunder case.
Santos is part of the AMLC team that investigated anomalies in Revilla's bank accounts on the heels of the PDAF scam revelation in late 2013.
The team found that Revilla terminated his accounts and investments within the time news of the scandal broke out in the media.
A money laundering scheme was confirmed by the report, which was submitted by the AMLC to the prosecution last October 8.
The account of Nature Concepts Development and Realty Corporation – a company controlled by Revilla's wife and Cavite Representative Lani Mercado – was found to have P27.74 million ($618,931)* in deposits also consistent with the time Revilla supposedly received kickbacks from Napoles.
The accounts of NGOs alleged to be controlled by Napoles were also found to be mere "temporary repository of funds," as "withdrawals take place almost on the same day deposits are made."
Napoles' employees Marina Sula, Merlina Suñas, Evelyn de Leon, and John Raymund de Asis were the ones withdrawing money from these NGOs' accounts, baring a relation between the NGOs and Napoles.
Sula, Suñas, De Leon, and De Asis were likewise using their IDs with the Napoles-owned JLN Corporation when they made the withdrawals.
Withdrawals were also made in cash despite susbstantial amounts involved. The AMLC said this is contrary to usual business practice.
Findings in the report Santos testified about were the same findings cited in forfeiture cases against Napoles and Luy, among others, filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 22. (READ: Manila court to hear Benhur Luy's appeal vs assets freeze)
If found to be ill-gotten, their assets covered by the civil case will be permanently seized by the state.
The court earlier froze the subject properties and accounts of Napoles and Luy, but Revilla has yet to be impleaded or filed with a forfeiture case. (READ: Napoles family, 'pork scam' suspects can't touch assets)
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said the AMLC should work on the forfeiture of assets of senators Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Juan Ponce Enrile, all accused of involvement in the pork barrel scam. (READ: Freeze order on Luy's assets consistent with DOJ evidence)
She added that the complete delivery of justice in relation to the scam should not "stop at the prosecution aspect" but also include the "recovery of assets." – Rappler.com
HISTORIC. Croatia's Danijel Subasic becomes the first goalkeeper in 12 years to save 3 in a penalty shootout since Portugal's Ricardo against England. Photo by Jewel Samad/AFP
NIZHNIY NOVGOROD, Russia – Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic emerged as the hero as Croatia squeezed into the World Cup quarterfinals with a penalty shootout victory over Denmark here Sunday, July 1.
On a night of late drama, Ivan Rakitic stroked home the decisive spotkick to ensure the Croats advanced to a last 8 meeting with Russia after the two sides finished locked at 1-1 following extra-time. (READ: Akinfeev stars as Russia knocks out Spain on penalties)
But Danes Christian Eriksen, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen were thwarted by Subasic in the shootout to ensure Croatia won 3-2 and advanced to their first quarterfinals since the 1998 World Cup in France.
"We have come so far but we don't intend to stop here," Dalic said of his team that has been tipped for World Cup glory.
Victory came after 3 penalty saves from keeper Subasic in the shootout, the first keeper to do that since Portugal's Ricardo against England in 2006.
Hareide added that he had set up his team to deny Modric and his midfield partner Ivan Rakitic – who struck the winning penalty in the shootout – space as he described the Croats as the best counter-attacking team in Europe.
Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel won the man of the match award for his penalty saves, two more followed in the shootout, but said the result was a "huge disappointment."
With the Nizhny Novgorod stadium still rocking from the frantic start, Croatia went upfield and promptly equalized.
The explosive start – both sides hit the back of the net within 3 minutes and 37 seconds – was officially the quickest two teams have ever scored in a World Cup finals match.
The following 116 minutes though largely failed to live up to the first 4, fireworks giving way to a damp squib of an encounter as the game edged inexorably towards extra time and penalties.
Modric stepped up but side-footed weakly and Schmeichel made the first of his 3 penalty saves on the night, all in vain, as his legendary goalkeeping father Peter punched the air in delight as he watched on in the stands. – Rappler.com
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