MONEY LAUNDERING: Senators in a huddle during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, on the alleged $100 million that was laundered in the Philippines. Photo shows (from left to right) Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Sergio Osmeña III (seated), Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano, Teofisto “TG” Guingona III and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. In his opening statement Guingona said that he “cannot agree to an executive session because subject funds belong to the Bangladesh government which did not invoke confidentiality.”(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – A car dealer pushed for the appointment of Maia Deguito as manager of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation’s branch on Jupiter Street in Makati, a bank executive told the Senate inquiry on Thursday.
RCBC treasurer Raul Victor Tan said Deguito was supposed to be assigned at the Beacon branch in the Bonifacio Global City but was eventually appointed to the Jupiter post upon the recommendation of a certain Jason Go.
“Who is this Mr Jason Go that he can cause the designation of the branch manager? He is not part of the RCBC but he seems to be very powerful?” asked Senator Teofisto Guingona III, the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
“I believe he has large businesses which would help in bringing up the business of the branch,” Tan answered.
Deguito is at the center of the controversy after she allegedly opened the dubious bank accounts at the Jupiter branch.
The questionable accounts supposedly received millions of dollars in Bangladesh’s public funds allegedly hacked and stolen from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The funds were withdrawn and allegedly laundered in Philippine casinos.
Bank president stands by vetting process
RCBC president Lorenzo Tan said he knew Go, saying many CEOs of corporations bought cars from him.
“I‘ve known him for a long time. Jason is known to a lot of people who live in the Makati area. They buy and sell cars to him. I bought some traded cars to him. When people want to buy new cars, they trade their old cars,” Lorenzo Tan said.
“Anyone who is into cars would know Mr. Jason Go. A lot of CEOs of corporation will know him,” he added.
The bank president, however, denied Go influenced Deguito’s appointment to the branch.
“Is it a standard that private individuals, valued clients or not, but in this case a valued client, can really influence? Apparently they do,” Guingona asked Lorenzo Tan.
“I don’t think it happened there. We don’t do it that way. I think she committed to bringing in substantial amount of business and I think they have emails to prove that,” Lorenzo Tan said.
“You just contradicted Mr. [Raul] Tan saying it is upon recommendation. But anyway, let us not go into this he said she said. Ms. Deguito, is there anything you want to say here about what you know about Jason go,” Guingona said.
Deguito, who’s facing money laundering raps, asked that she answer the question in executive session. (MNS)