Lawyer Manases Carpio has filed a criminal complaint against officials of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and several lawmakers over the alleged public disclosure of bank records.
In a complaint-affidavit filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, Carpio accused the respondents of violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Bank Secrecy Law and Data Privacy Act.
Named in the complaint were BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr., AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, and House Committee on Justice Chair Gerville Reyes-Luistro. Also included were lawmakers Perci Cendaña, Jose Manuel Diokno and Leila de Lima.
Carpio alleged that their bank records were disclosed during a House Committee on Justice hearing held April 22 in connection with impeachment complaints against his wife, Vice President Sara Duterte.
During the hearing, Buenaventura stated that about ₱6.8 billion worth of covered and suspicious transactions recorded from 2006 to 2025 were allegedly linked to accounts of the vice president and Carpio.
Carpio argued that the disclosure of the information was illegal because it was made without their consent. He said he strongly opposed the release of the information during the hearing and described the act as “sensationalized political propaganda” and an attempt to discredit them.
He emphasized that under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the AMLC is required to maintain confidentiality of the information it holds. He added that there is no provision allowing the release of such information even when subpoenaed by Congress.
Carpio also cited the Bank Secrecy Law, stating that bank deposits are considered strictly confidential and may only be disclosed under limited circumstances, such as with depositor consent or a court order.
The complaint will undergo review by prosecutors to determine whether there is sufficient basis for a preliminary investigation. Respondents may be required to submit counter-affidavits before a decision is made on whether to file charges in court or dismiss the case.
