Senator Pia Cayetano, together with her brother Alan Peter and TV host Boy Abunda, explained some rules and regulations with regards to bank accounts, especially joint ones.

In the ‘Payong Kapatid’ segment on the Sept. 3 episode, a certain Erlinda Gomez sought the advice and help of the show about her joint bank account with her late sister, Priscilla, which got frozen because the latter’s children are trying to claim half of the amount in the account.

“Obligasyon po ng bangko ‘yan na pagkaingatan ang pondo na nasa account, lalo na pagka may namatay. Kasi pag may namatay at joint account ‘yon, or minsan nga kahit hindi ‘yan joint [account], ifi-freeze talaga ‘yan,” Senator Pia explained. “Minsan sampu [ang] anak, minsan may asawa [tapos[ meron pa palang dating asawa, maraming ganong sitwasyon.”

Erlinda also shared that it was their US-based sister Yolanda who asked them to open a joint account for their needs. To her knowledge and belief, it is Yolanda who is the real owner of the account since the money came from her.

However, Pia stressed: “Ang practice ngayon ng bangko pag merong joint account, kinikilalang may-ari ng pera na ‘yan ay kung sino ‘yung nasa joint account.”

According to the senator, the law says that banks have to thoroughly check who are the legitimate heirs of the account owners.

“Ang pagfi-freeze na ‘yan, hindi dahil kukunin ng bangko pero ‘yan ay temporary lang para ‘yun nga, walang gumalaw. At habang naka-freeze ‘yan, ngayon natin ibibigay ang pruweba sa bangko na ‘ito po ang tamang kailangang pagbigyan ng bank account,” she said.

At the end of the segment, Erlinda was convinced that she needs to show to court the evidence that the US-based sister is the owner of the money in the account, as she continuously claims. The show also pledged to help her with the preparation of the appropriate letters and documents for her case.

“I hope nakapagbigay-liwanag tayo about a very basic thing [such] as joint bank accounts. Basic siya pero you have to know the law and protect yourself… that's what we’re here for,” Pia said as they closed the episode.

“It feels rewarding to be able to help, maybe not always ‘yung taong nangangailangan but hopefully millions of people who are watching, may matutunan at maproteksyunan din ang sarili nila,” she added.

'CIA with BA' continues the legacy of Senator Rene Cayetano, the late father of sibling senators Alan and Pia. The senior Cayetano was a renowned lawyer who gained fame through his radio and TV program 'Compañero y Compañera,' which aired from 1997 to 2001.

Don’t miss ‘CIA with BA’ with Alan, Pia and Boy every Sunday, 11:30 p.m. on GMA7.