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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider NBI probes Tolentino, alleged Wirecard trustee

NBI probes Tolentino, alleged Wirecard trustee

Published Jun 29, 2020 12:00 am
By Jeffrey Damicog  Former Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday, June 29, to face investigators concerning his alleged involvement in the US$2.1 billion Wirecard scandal. Tolentino was reported to be a trustee of the German finance-technology firm, Wirecard, which figured in the reported loss of some US $2.1 billion in cash assets. The NBI confirmed that the lawyer arrived at its Manila main office at around 9:30 a.m. After his arrival, the NBI said Tolentino went to the office of NBI Deputy Director Vicente De Guzman III. During the meeting, Tolentino said he gave his side concerning the Wirecard and will submit a written explanation within the week. “Verbal explanation muna. Written explanation submit bukas or Wednesday (I only gave a verbal explanation today. I will submit a written explanation tomorrow or Wednesday),” he told reporters. Earlier, NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said the NBI’s Anti-Fraud Division has been assigned to investigate persons allegedly involved in the scandal. Wirecard, which has been described as a German fintech firm, found itself in a scandal following the discovery of accounting irregularities which showed that there are US$2.1 billion missing from its coffers. Tolentino has been identified as one of Wirecard’s alleged trustees. The NBI investigation was ordered by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra following consultations with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Guevarra said the NBI will be working with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on the investigation. Aside from the NBI, Guevarra also ordered the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to investigate the reported trips of former Wirecard chief operating officer (COO) Jan Marsalek to the Philippines this year. Guevarra learned from the BI that Marsalek, who was reported to be married to a Filipina, was in Manila from March 3 to 5 and in Cebu from June 23 to 24.
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