Panel fails to compel bank exec to disclose Resado account

MANILA, Philippines - The bank account of State Prosecutor John Resado, who penned the controversial resolution dismissing the drug charges against the “Alabang Boys,” remains a secret. In Monday’s hearing on the alleged bribery surrounding the case, the three-man panel failed to compel Banco de Oro Assistance Vice President Liza Bugay to disclose the content of Resado’s bank account. Due to the Bank Secrecy Law, Bugay was prevented by BDO lawyer Ruben Purisima to divulge the amount stated in the bank account statement. Only the three panel members were able to see Resado’s bank statement. Bugay meanwhile limited her testimony to the P800,000 deposit made on the prosecutor’s BDO account in SM-North Edsa. According to her, the deposit was placed on November 30, 2008 but was credited only on December 2 since November 30 and December 1 were declared holidays. Bugay’s testimony ran counter to Resado’s previous statements that he deposited the amount on December 2, 2008, the same day he dismissed the drug charges against Richard Brodett, Joseph Tecson and Jorge Joseph. Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, a member of the panel, questioned why Bugay still refused to disclose pertinent details of the account when the owner of the account had already given his consent to the bank to testify on his account. “The one who is going to file charges is the depositor but here, you have the depositor also asking questions from you,” he said. Purisima insisted that the bank needed a written waiver from Resado. The embattled prosecutor however did not issue one. “The bank representative may not answer with regards to the movement of transactions on that particular account. She may only testify on terminologies, hypothetical questions that the panel might ask but not on specific accounts,” Purisima said. Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino, the head of the anti-drug team that arrested the three suspects, said the fact that the assailed resolution was issued on December 2 and the bank deposit was made on the same day was already a “circumstantial evidence of the bribery.” He also accused Resado of not honoring his earlier statements that he is willing to waive his privacy under the Bank Secrecy Law. He said that the beleaguered prosecutor lost an opportunity to clear his name in his refusal. “We are all groping in the dark. He does not want to sign a waiver, and the bank manager can’t even mention the amount. It’s up to the (panel) to determine probable cause, pero sa amin [but for us], this is a circumstantial evidence of bribery,” said Marcelino. Also during the hearing, Amanda Brodett, cousin of one of the suspects, testified during an executive session wherein PDEA agents said she disclosed the illicit drug activities of Richard Brodett’s mother, Myra. Amanda also claimed Richard’s Friendster account has tips on how to grow marijuana. She however added that the entry was removed last Friday, and that she was de-listed as one of Richard’s Friendster contacts. Amanda likewise belied Myra’s statements that the two Brodett families have not seen each other or had any communication for nearly 10 years. She said that they even spent Christmas together in 2007 and that they even received gifts from them. - GMANews.TV