SENATE MINORITY LEADER ALAN PETER CAYETANO
Fourth Manifestation During the 15th Day of the Impeachment Hearing
of CJ Corona
Re: On senator-judges requesting to subpoena bank accounts

SUMMARY OF MAIN POINTS

Sa diskusyon ukol sa pagklaklaro ng sakop mga bank accounts at dokumento sa ilalim ng nailabas na subpoena at sa mga susunod pang subpoena at kautusan ng impeachment court, nais klaruhin at puntuhin ni ASC ang mga sumusunod :

1. Para sa "new accounts", ay mungkahi niya na mainam na isama rin sila sa anumang subpoena o order ng impeachment court. - Ang "new accounts" o mga account o detalye na hindi naisama sa unang subpoena na inilabas, ngunit lumabas na magkaugnay (linked account) sa mga saklaw ng subpoena, ay dapat na ring isama upang makita ng mga senator-judge at maging ng taong bayan, ang kabuuang pangyayari sa mga accounts na ito (para sa katotohanan kung may pondo ba na nasa mga accounts na ito na inilagay at inilagay ng tumpak sa SALN o hindi).

2. Para sa "bank account statements" ay mungkahi na mainam na isama rin sila sa anumang subpoena o order ng impeachment court. Bunsod ito sa dalawang punto na nabanggit ng Depensa: - na pinayagan sila ni CJ Corona mismo na puntahan ang bangko upang tignan ang mga accounts at bank statements niya; - na ang mga pondo sa bank balance sa mga yugtong nabanggit sa subpoena ay hindi naman nanganagahulugang pumasok ng minsanan (one time transaction) kundi sa loob ng ilang panahon.

Alinsabay sa mga puntong ito ng Depensa at ng mga lumabas sa testigo ay mahalagang maipakita rin ang mga bank account statements upang makita nga kung ang pondo ay pumapasok ng bahagya o minsanan sa mga account.

3. Kalikasan (nature) at epekto ng Order o Kautusan ng Impeachment Court at Subpoena - parehong kautusan ito ng Impeachment Court na ilabas ang mga tukoy na dokumento at dapat na sundin. - Nilinaw ni ASC na kailangan tumalima o sundin ng mga testigo hindi lang ang mga subpoena, kundi ang mismong berbal o nakasulat na kautusan ng Impeachment Court sa pagpapalabas ng mga bank records. - Ang pagpapalabas ng mga kautusan at mga subpoena ay mga likas na kapangyarihan ng Senado bilang Impeachment Court na atas sa kanya ng Saligang Batas at ng mismong mga alituntunin ng Impeachment court at ng Senado.

4. Mahalaga na kailangan balansehin ang lahat ng interes sa usaping ito - unang banda sa polisiya ng pagpapalawig ng banking industry at bank secrecy , at sa ikalawang banda sa punto ng public accountability at katotohanan.

5. Anumang diskusyon ay mas mainam na gawin nalang sa Caucus upang mas maging malaya at malalim ang pagtatalakay ng mga senator judges sa usapin.

-ooo-

ACTUAL MANIFESTATION

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (ASC):

Therefore, the subpoenas that will be issued we will ask that it will specify the bank account numbers. There's a certain level of information that we need. If not, we simply write a letter to the Central Bank to ask for the bank accounts that we need. And that is what we can discuss in the caucus.

However, yesterday and today, testimonies tended to show that certain bank accounts are linked with one another. Sen. Osmena and I are also correct to say that if these are linked together, there is some sort of basis to ask for these other accounts.

The question that the Presiding Officer has been asking is if there is any objection or if we should vote on it. I don't think it's a matter of having an objection, although that is the correct procedure.

I think the question is "do we debate it here and now where the rules only limit us to two minutes each or do we debate it in caucus wherein each of us will have our papers and our staff to assist us and balance the interest of the banking industry, the economy, the secrecy of bank accounts, and our function to come to the truth.

It's a very fine line between fishing expedition in searching for the truth, Mr. President. I haven't heard an objection but I think the question really was, without giving away our positions, would we want to discuss this in caucus where we would be able to balance the conflicting interests.

Presiding Officer Juan Ponce Enrile (JPE) said he is open to suggestions on how the body will decide on the matter.

ASC: I just clarified that for the new accounts. But I was also one of those who asked a while ago if this account is linked to other accounts.

Two more clarifications.

Two witnesses already kept answering here that they can only reveal information on bank accounts if they are subpoenaed. I have a different interpretation of 1405. In impeachment proceedings, for as long as the court is inquiring about it, you can give us information here and the order of the court is not limited to a subpoena.

When the Presiding Officer directs you to testify on it, that is also an order of the court. Am I correct Mr. Presiding Officer?

JPE agrees.

ASC: (Ms. Witness) do not limit the order of the court Ma'am to the subpoena. But since hindi po lawyers lahat, we are not taking that against you. Pero kapag inutos po ng korte, kahit written or oral point na sinabi sa inyo order po yun at protected pa rin kayo sa 1405.

Lastly, Mr. President, I heard the last statement of Sen. Osmena kung pwedeng tingnan yung balances, bakit hindi sa PS Bank account? Actually, the Defense took the extra trouble of asking the court if they can go to the bank and get that. But that's not even necessary because their client is the owner of the account. All he has to do is write the bank and the bank will give them the statements.

We have created a confusion now that if we ask for these accounts' balances, why not the other accounts? This is a legitimate question from another senator-judge.

But just to clarify those issues, tatlong issues yon. One, new accounts; two, account statements; and three, (nature of) orders of the court.

Thank you Mr. President.