Tag: Bank Secrecy Act

Ping, Handang Bawiin ang Karapatan sa Bank Secrecy sa Unang Araw ng Panunungkulan

Para pangunahan ang isang disiplinado at malinis na gobyerno, sumumpa si Senador Ping Lacson nitong Huwebes na handa siyang bawiin ang kanyang karapatan sa ilalim ng Bank Secrecy Law sa unang araw ng kanyang panunungkulan kung sakaling manalo siya bilang Pangulo sa 2022.

Para kay Lacson na tumatayong standard bearer ng Partido Reporma, nagpapakita ito ng kanyang “leadership by example” para maibalik ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa gobyerno.

“My first 100 days in office will also lay the foundation for a clean government. To ensure our people that ‘leadership by example’ will set the tone of my administration, I will lead the way by signing a waiver of my rights under the Bank Secrecy Law and encourage all the members of the cabinet, down to the rank and file to do the same,” ani Lacson nang siya ay dumalo sa Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry 47th Philippine Business Conference and Expo.

Related: Lacson to Waive Bank Secrecy Rights on First Day of Presidency
Continue reading “Ping, Handang Bawiin ang Karapatan sa Bank Secrecy sa Unang Araw ng Panunungkulan”

Lacson to Waive Bank Secrecy Rights on First Day of Presidency

In order to set the tone for a disciplined and corruption-free bureaucracy, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson vowed on Thursday to waive his rights under the Bank Secrecy Law and encourage his fellow public servants to do the same – all in Day 1 of his presidency, if he wins the 2022 election.

Lacson, standard bearer of Partido Reporma, said this will also show his brand of “leadership by example” to restore the trust of people in their leaders.

“My first 100 days in office will also lay the foundation for a clean government. To ensure our people that ‘leadership by example’ will set the tone of my administration, I will lead the way by signing a waiver of my rights under the Bank Secrecy Law and encourage all the members of the cabinet, down to the rank and file to do the same,” he said at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 47th Philippine Business Conference and Expo.

Related: Ping, Handang Bawiin ang Karapatan sa Bank Secrecy sa Unang Araw ng Panunungkulan
Continue reading “Lacson to Waive Bank Secrecy Rights on First Day of Presidency”

Speech before Apptitude and Abogadong Pinoy

Over the past year, we often hear that in the midst of the crises we face, we must seize every opportunity that comes our way. Between you and me, our present reality goes beyond that: crises present not just opportunities but critical junctures through which societies change.

We are fortunate that just within our reach is an arsenal that can transform societies in ways unimaginable. I speak of information technology –one of our anchors for stability in these otherwise uncertain times. It has become more than a tool for progress; it has transformed into a defining force for virtually all societies to survive.

I am glad to speak before all of you for this same agenda: we must harness technology and innovation to adapt to the change of our time.

Continue reading “Speech before Apptitude and Abogadong Pinoy”

Lacson: Consistency vs Corruption to Restore Int’l Financial institutions’ Trust in PH

Showing consistency in fighting corruption will play a major role not only in restoring the trust of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other international financial institutions, but can solve many other problems that beset our country even as we grapple with the effects of the pandemic, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson said that while legislation against money laundering – especially of ill-gotten wealth – and terrorism financing is important, the key is the consistent implementation of existing laws.

“One of the reasons we were included in the FATF’s gray list in 2012 is that the FATF wanted us to address deficiencies in countering terrorist financing, among others. In response, Congress passed Republic Act 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012. This was further enhanced by RA 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. This may, however, call for further measures such as amending our existing Bank Secrecy Act, to address a major source of corruption. What we need is to make it difficult, if not impossible, to hide or launder ill-gotten wealth. This would be a big deal in helping stop corruption,” he said.

Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping, May Tip para Pilipinas ‘Di Uminit sa Mata ng mga Institusyong Pananalapi
Continue reading “Lacson: Consistency vs Corruption to Restore Int’l Financial institutions’ Trust in PH”

#PINGterview: Kailangang Kailangan Natin ang Batas vs Malaking Banta ng Terorismo

In an interview on SMNI, Sen. Lacson answered questions on the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020:
* ATB compliant with the 1987 Constitution [0:17]
* powers of the Anti-Terrorism Council [7:13]
* upholding of human rights [13:48]
* need for a legal backbone vs the threat of terrorism [14:56]

QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Kailangang Kailangan Natin ang Batas vs Malaking Banta ng Terorismo”

On the Need to Update the Anti-Money Laundering Act

The bringing of huge sums of money in and out of the country in past months with seeming impunity indicates the urgent need for action from our government, not just by the Executive but also by the Legislative. Our authorities should keep up with, if not keep one step ahead of, criminals who are trying to do the same.

While there is need to address the corruption that is one big reason for authorities’ tolerating money laundering, there is also a need to take a long, hard look at gaps in our existing laws, including the Bank Secrecy Law and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

On the other hand, the amendments to these laws should also make sure that they cannot be weaponized for political purposes. Speaking from experience, I have been at the receiving end of such abuse of the law by the likes of Ador Mawanay, Mary “Rosebud” Ong, Victor Corpus and the Arroyos, who prompted me to waive my rights under the Bank Secrecy Law and challenged them to withdraw all the dollars they claimed I owned. And acting from those experiences, I proposed amendments to the AMLA and filed a bill excluding all public servants from the Bank Secrecy Act.

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Revisions to deposit secrecy law may yet see the light [Inquirer]

From the Inquirer: Two influential government officials — a senator with a strong anticrime advocacy and the country’s top financial regulator — want incoming lawmakers to make it easier for authorities to examine bank deposits for evidence of potential wrongdoing.

Related: Lacson Bill Removes Bank Secrecy Act Protection for Gov’t Officials, Employees
Continue reading “Revisions to deposit secrecy law may yet see the light [Inquirer]”

Editorial: Bank secrecy exemption [Philippine Star]

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From The Philippine Star: As long as there are sectors pushing for a genuine anti-corruption campaign, proponents of the reform must not lose hope.

Continue reading “Editorial: Bank secrecy exemption [Philippine Star]”

PingBills | Ping: Presidente, Gov’t Officials Ekis na sa Bank Secrecy Law

Papayagan na ang awtoridad na silipin ang mga bank accounts ng mga matataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan, kabilang na ang Pangulo, sa oras na maisabatas ang panukalang inihain ni Senador Panfilo Lacson.

Layunin ng Senate Bill 26 na amyendahan ang ilang nilalaman ng Republic Act 1405 o ang Bank Secrecy Law bunga na rin ng pagiging “madamot” nito sa publiko kaugnay sa mga detalye ng bank accounts ng mga mga opisyal at kawani ng pamahalaan.

Ang bahaging nagbabawal sa mga bangko na isiwalat ang mga bank accounts ng mga opisyal, halal man o itinalaga, at mga kawani ng pamahalaan ang nais ni Lacson na mabago batay sa nilalaman ng kanyang panukala.

Related: PingBills | Nowhere to Hide: Lacson Bill Removes Bank Secrecy Act Protection for Gov’t Officials, Employees
Continue reading “PingBills | Ping: Presidente, Gov’t Officials Ekis na sa Bank Secrecy Law”

PingBills | Nowhere to Hide: Lacson Bill Removes Bank Secrecy Act Protection for Gov’t Officials, Employees

Government officials and employees who enrich themselves while in office will now have a harder time hiding their ill-gotten wealth, with a bill filed by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson excluding all public servants from the Bank Secrecy Law.

Lacson’s Senate Bill 26 strips public servants of the “protection” from Republic Act 1405, which prohibits disclosure or inquiry into bank deposits as a general rule.

He noted the Bank Secrecy Act’s provision prohibiting the disclosure of or inquiry to bank deposits has frequently been exploited to “hamper and stall investigations” of government officials and employees suspected of enriching themselves while in public office.

Related: PingBills | Ping: Presidente, Gov’t Officials Ekis na sa Bank Secrecy Law
Continue reading “PingBills | Nowhere to Hide: Lacson Bill Removes Bank Secrecy Act Protection for Gov’t Officials, Employees”

Interview on DZRH | Jan. 17, 2019

In an interview on DZRH, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– need to tighten Bank Secrecy Act and related legislation after Ligot acquittal
– passage of the 2019 national budget
– potential PH takeover of Hanjin shipyard in Subic

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DZRH | Jan. 17, 2019”

#PingSays: On calls to look into President Duterte’s bank accounts, and China’s reported buildup in the South China Sea | Feb. 5, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– calls to look into President Duterte’s bank accounts
– China’s reported buildup in the South China Sea

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On calls to look into President Duterte’s bank accounts, and China’s reported buildup in the South China Sea | Feb. 5, 2018”

Lacson Bill Strips Drug Pushers, Financiers of Bank Secrecy

Drug pushers, manufacturers, cultivators, importers and financiers can no longer hide their ill-gotten money in banks, as a bill filed by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson seeks to strip them of their rights under the Bank Secrecy Act.

Lacson said his Senate Bill 1025, which strengthens the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, is a proactive move to support the government’s unrelenting war against illegal drugs.

“Experiences of the past tell us that our country’s high regard to the secrecy of bank deposits results to law enforcers’ limited authority in terms of confiscation and forfeiture of money or proceeds of the sale or trade of illegal drugs,” he said in his bill, titled “An Act Authorizing the Examination of Bank Deposits, Accounts and Records of Pushers, Manufacturers, Cultivators, Importers and Financiers of Dangerous Drugs, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9165 and for Other Purposes.”

Related: Lacson bill: Kuwarta ng drug personalities bawal na sa mga bangko Continue reading “Lacson Bill Strips Drug Pushers, Financiers of Bank Secrecy”

Lacson Bill: Kuwarta ng Drug Personalities Bawal na sa mga Bangko

Hindi na puwedeng itago ng mga personalidad na sangkot sa pagpapakalat ng ilegal na droga sa bangko ang mga perang kanilang nakulimbat sa pagbebenta ng mga ito, oras na maipatupad ang pag-amyenda sa Dangerous Drugs Act na isinusulong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson.

Sa Senate Bill 1025 na pinamagatang “An Act Authorizing the Examination of Bank Deposits, Accounts and Records of Pushers, Manufacturers, Cultivators, Importers and Financiers of Dangerous Drugs, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9165 and for Other Purposes,” na iniakda ng senador, dapat nang baklasin sa mga napoprotektahan ng nabanggit na batas ang mga bank accounts ng mga gumagawa, nag-aangkat, nagpapakalat at nagpopondo sa mga ilegal na droga.

Sa kasalukuyang sistema kasi, hirap na hirap umano ang mga awtoridad na tuntunin ang mga nakatagong pera ng mga sangkot sa ilegal na droga dahil napapabilang pa ang mga ito sa pinoprotektahan ng mga batas na umiiral.

Related: Lacson bill strips drug pushers, financiers of bank secrecy Continue reading “Lacson Bill: Kuwarta ng Drug Personalities Bawal na sa mga Bangko”

Past, Imperfect/Future, Tense: The Road Ahead For The Philippines

Speech before Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce

I am very honored tonight to address your chamber. But the real honor belongs to the new leaders of the chamber. Tonight is their night. Tonight begins the first night of the rest of their lives. To them I convey my best wishes!

The invitation of President Ram Sitaldas was very forthright. In fact, he asked me to cover the subject he bluntly described as Past Imperfect, Future Tense. He made no reference to the present. Thus, I assume that the present is both imperfect and tense…

President Sitaldas is right. The imperfect past is a reality made permanent by history. Our most reasonable response can only be this: there is no saint without a past. Time to leave our past to God’s mercy.  Continue reading “Past, Imperfect/Future, Tense: The Road Ahead For The Philippines”

What We Have Is Now

Speech Before the Members of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Tulunan, Cotabato

I cannot begin to say how grateful I am to be invited to your 21st Annual General Membership meeting.  Continue reading “What We Have Is Now”

My Report Card

Speech before the Question Mark Club, Hagonoy, Bulacan

This is my first time to come to Hagonoy to deliver a speech after last year’s elections. I am greatly honored.

Hagonoy has become the home of titans. One of them is my esteemed mentor at the Senate, the Honorable BIas Ople. He has taught me a lot. I have yet a lot to learn from his vast wealth of experience and intelligence. I hope to ripen into a statesman of his stature someday.

Hagonoy is blessed because of Ka BIas. In fact, the entire nation is.  Continue reading “My Report Card”