RCBC –Jupiter Branch Manager Maia Santos-Deguito takes an oath before testifying during a Senate hearing on the US$81 million money-laundering scandal, at the Philippines Senate on Tuesday. Deguito was summoned to shed light on the Philippines’ biggest anti-money laundering case involving money stolen from the central bank of Bangladesh.(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Filipino-Chinese businessman William Go is planning to file more charges against Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Jupiter branch manager Maia Deguito and former senior customer relations officer Angela Torres.
Go said he wants to see Deguito in jail after he was linked to the $81 million money laundering scheme and his accounts frozen.
“Siyempre sa ginawa niya sa akin, sa gulo. Wala akong kamalay-malay,” he said.
Go earlier filed criminal charges against the two bank officials after they claimed the businessman received P20 million in cash withdrawn from Go’s account last February 5. He said an independent report of Truth Verifier Systems, Inc. confirmed that his signatures in the withdrawal slip for the P20 million are forgeries.
Go’s lawyer, Ramon Esguerra, said they will file falsification charges against Deguito and Torres.
“The first one was [on] the withdrawal slip of the 20 million-peso withdrawal; the second and the third one will be on the basis of the falsified opening bank documents, both of which have been scientifically found, in so far as Mr. Go’s signature is concerned, have been falsified,” Esguerra said.
Go debunked Torres’ claim that she personally brought the money to Go’s car outside the RCBC Jupiter branch last February 5. Torres’ story runs counter to the claim of branch customer service head Romualdo Agarrado that the P20 million was loaded to Deguito’s car.
Go said Torres made her claim in a DZMM interview while Agarrado gave his testimony under oath before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
He noted that Torres clammed up and would not speak before the Senate because she has a pending court case. “Nagsisinungaling talaga,” he said.
During the Headstart interview, Go said he is also mulling the possible filing of charges against RCBC for its “vicarious liability” in the $81 million money laundering scandal he has been tagged in.
“There is basis to say that there was negligence on the part of RCBC in the selection of their branch manager and officers—in this case, Mrs. Deguito—and on the basis of what we call vicarious liability,” Esguerra said.
He said they are in the final stage of reviewing the draft before filing the civil charges against the bank.
Meanwhile, Go admitted to having known Kim Wong many years ago through common friends but that they have not communicated for a long time. He also dismissed talk that he is being “controlled” by Wong.
“How can one control me? As I’ve said, tagal ko nang negosyante. Mas malaki pa negosyo ko kay Kim Wong e. How can I be controlled by him?” he said.
Go, however, said he is hopeful that Wong’s testimony in Tuesday’s Senate hearing will prove his innocence from the laundering allegations and be instrumental in having the freeze order on his accounts lifted.
Go again shed light on his February 23 meeting with Deguito, which he said was set up by Allan Peñalosa—the current manager of Eastwest Bank Burgos branch where he has his accounts and where Deguito was previously designated.
“It was Allan who requested because si Allan, meron kaming dealings sa bangko. Mas matagal ko nang kilala si Allan, more than Deguito. Pinagbigyan ko lang si Allan diyan. Yun lang,” he said.
He said that during the meeting, Deguito apologized and revealed the laundering scheme and how the fictitious account under his name was involved. The meeting took place in Mary Grace Serendra on February 23.
“She was telling me na pera ng Bangladesh daw, nag-wire sa apat na fictitious o limang fictitious [accounts]. Kinakailangang buksan na niya kaagad para mailipat daw sa company account.”
Go claimed Deguito asked for his help in closing the accounts made under his name in exchange for P10 million. He refused the offer and insisted that his name be cleared.
Esguerra speculated that she needed Go to close the accounts to “validate the existence of the account” after RCBC started investigating her.
With Peñalosa in attendance during the meeting, Go’s camp will also be looking into having him testify and corroborate this story.
Go said it is possible that Peñalosa “heard something” during his meeting with Deguito since he was also present.
Asked why Go did not sue Penalosa, Esguerra said that aside from setting up the meeting, there was nothing that would show Penalosa is conspiring with Deguito. (MNS)