Gatchalian lauds AMLC's wider freeze orders on assets in flood control anomalies
At A Glance
- Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said this decisive action of the AMLC is a vital step to hold accountable those who plundered public funds and to ensure that stolen wealth is returned to government coffers.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday, September 21 welcomed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for expanding its freeze orders on assets that are linked to flood control anomalies.
This after the AMLC was able to secure a new freeze order from the Court of Appeals targeted at assets allegedly tied to the anomalous scheme.
“I commend the AMLC’s swift move to expand freeze orders to include investments and personal properties of those involved in flood control anomalies,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“This decisive action is a vital step to hold accountable those who plundered public funds and to ensure that stolen wealth is returned to government coffers,” he said.
The said order covers a total of 592 bank accounts, three insurance policies, 73 motor vehicles, and 18 real properties that belong other individuals and contractors linked to the irregular flood control projects.
AMLC Executive Director Matthew David said in a statement that the sheer magnitude of assets involved reflects the alarming scope of corruption.
“This freeze order marks another step toward the filing of appropriate civil and criminal cases against those found to have laundered illicit proceeds,” David said.
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate finance committee said the irregularities in flood control projects highlight the need to further strengthen the AMLC so it can detect and prevent financial crimes early.
Kailangan nating mapigilan agad ang pagwawaldas at pagnanakaw ng kaban ng bayan na dapat sana’y ginagamit para maibsan ang kahirapan ng ating mga kababayan (We need to immediately stop the waste and plundering of public funds that should be used to alleviate the poverty of our countrymen),” the senator said.