Emma Watson's name shows up on controversial ‘Panama Papers’

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) on Tuesday published a searchable list of personalities cited in the Panama Papers, a leaked database of individuals with offshore accounts.

Several personalities from the Philippines like Irene Marcos-Araneta and Henry T. Sy Sr. showed up on the database. British actress Emma Watson's name also appeared on the list.

The controversial Panama Papers contains an unprecedented 11.5 million leaked files from the database of Mossack Fonseca, the fourth biggest offshore law firm in the world.

An anonymous source provided the records to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which in turn, passed these on to the ICIJ.

The Independent news site on Tuesday reported that Watson's spokesperson has confirmed that the offshore accounts do exist but explained that the actress uses them to protect her privacy.

"Emma (like many high profile individuals) set up an offshore company for the sole purpose of protecting her anonymity and safety," her spokesperson said. 

"UK companies are required to publicly publish details of their shareholders and therefore do not give her the necessary anonymity required to protect her personal safety, which has been jeopardized in the past owing to such information being publicly available," the spokesperson added.

The ICIJ had previously issued a caveat that "there are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts," but the leak still prompts an investigation for possible cases of tax evasion. — Aya Tantiangco/VVP, GMA News