Ongpin graft case vs. Espenilla is 'persecution' – lawyer

The graft case filed by businessman Roberto Ongpin against Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. is tantamount to “persecution,” the central bank official's legal counsel claimed on Friday.

 

“The filing of criminal charges against BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. is a clear attempt by Mr. Roberto Ongpin to shift the blame to another for the freezing of his bank accounts,” lawyer Augusto San Pedro said in a statement the Bangko Sentral e-mailed to reporters.

 

“The filing of charges against Dep. Governor Espenilla can at best, be viewed as an act of persecution,” the lawyer added. 

 

On Thursday, Ongpin sued Espenilla for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft Law in connection to the businessman's frozen bank accounts. 

 

The freeze order reduced by P3 billion – as of Dec. 10, 2012 or the first trading day after the order was published in the newspaper – his shareholdings in publicly listed Philweb, Alphaland, Atok, ISM and PBCom, Ongpin claimed.

 

Ongpin's bank accounts were ordered frozen by the Ant-Money Laundering Counsel based on a Dec. 6, 2012 Resolution issued by the Court of Appeals.

 

The Court of Appeals said probable cause exists to freeze the subject bank accounts.

 

The order stemmed from criminal complaints filed by the government-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) with the Ombudsman against Ongpin and other bank officials in relation to alleged behest loans extended to Ongpin-owned companies. 

 

The money was used to buy Philex Mining Corporation shares owned by the DBP, which were later sold to Manuel V. Pangilinan – now Philex chairman. 

 

“The Ombudsman said the facts indicate violations of Republic Act No. 3019 otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and that the crime of money laundering may have been committed,” San Pedro said.  

 

“The Ombudsman therefore referred the matter to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for immediate action,” he added.   

 

San Pedro claimed that the AMLC order against Ongpin's bank accounts were not Espenilla's personal decision. 

 

“Furthermore, lest it be forgotten, the AMLC Resolution is a product of a collegial body governing the AMLC and that while Dep. Governor Espenilla acted as its then Chairman, in the absence of the Governor [Amando Tetangco, Jr.],” he said. 

 

On Wednesday, Ongpin said he will also sue AMLC executive director Vicente Aquino for possible violation of the Anti-Graft Law. — Siegfrid Alegado/VS, GMA News