RCBC ex-manager in $81-M money laundering scandal posts bail

Maia Santos-Deguito, the former branch manager of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC)- Jupiter branch, posted bail after she was arrested on Wednesday—supposedly in relation to a perjury charge.

According to the Makati police, Deguito was released around 1 a.m. Thursday after posting a P6,000 bail money and processing the necessary documents.

She was arrested Wednesday night in Makati City. Deguito allegedly facilitated the laundering of $81 million of stolen funds that were transferred from fictitious accounts at the RCBC Jupiter branch to casinos and junket operators.

The  money was stolen from the Bangladesh Bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The warrant of arrest was related to a perjury case filed by former RCBC President Lorenzo Tan against Deguito.

In April, Tan sued Deguito for testifying at a Senate hearing that he was aware of the five fictitious accounts at the RCBC Jupiter branch.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio protested the arrest of his client, saying it was harassment. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News