Defense cites penalties for confidentiality breach; witness says he's not scared

Financial forensic analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera, a witness presented by the prosecution, said Monday he is not scared even as Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer read a provision of the law amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act, pertaining to the penalties for the breach of confidentiality.

On Day 38 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Ferrer cited Section 9(d) of Republic Act No. 9194, which provided the penalties for malicious reporting under the AMLA.

“Letter D, Breach of Confidentiality. I will no longer specify the penalties, but it includes imprisonment and fine. But it is not meant to scare you, sir,” the defense lawyer said.

Cabrera answered, “I’m not scared naman po.”

Section 9(d) of RA 9194 states that: The punishment of imprisonment ranging from three to eight years and a fine of not less than P500,000, but not more than P1,000,000, shall be imposed on a person convicted for a violation under the law.

In the case of a breach of confidentiality that is published or reported by the media, the responsible reporter, writer, president, publisher, manager and editor-in-chief shall be held liable.

Ferrer then asked the witness if, as a lawyer, he did not feel concerned that the furnishing of Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) documents to him by the prosecution without the permission of the Senate impeachment court may violate such laws.

“Dahil na-take up na po sa House, at pinagtalunan na po sa House, kaya po ang nasa isip ko ay ay okay lang po ‘yun na tanggapin ko,” Cabrera said.

(Since these have already been taken up and debated in the House of Representatives, I felt it was okay for me to accept these.)

When the trial resumed on Monday morning, Ferrer and Cabrera also shared a light moment when the latter called the defense lawyer, “Honorable Kristine,” when he greeted her good morning.

“Just don’t call me Honorable because I’m not an Honorable…I’m not part of the prosecution team,” Ferrer said.

Cabrera is testifying for Article 2 of the impeachment case, which accuses the Vice President of amassing unexplained wealth.

He is the last witness that would be presented by the prosecution in the impeachment trial. — RSJ, GMA News

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