HOUSE Committee on Public Accounts Chair Terry L. Ridon on Monday said that as Atty. Manases Carpio is schedule to file a complaint questioning the disclosure of Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records, the figures themselves—and the absence of any clear denial of these figures—raise deeper and unanswered questions on the financial activity in the accounts of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and her spouse.
Ridon, a lawyer and member of the House Committee on Justice, noted that while the complaint challenges the disclosure, it does not dispute the existence, scale, or magnitude of the ₱6.77 billion in transactions flagged by the AMLC.
“Hindi nila dine-deny ang numero,” Ridon said.
“Ang kinukwestyon nila ay kung paano ito nalaman—hindi kung totoo ito.”
He said the issue must now be examined step by step.
First, he pointed to the ₱4.43 billion in inflows flagged by the AMLC.
“Ang unang tanong—saan nanggaling ang ₱4.43 billion na pumasok sa kanilang accounts?” Ridon said.
He stressed that this amount must be reconciled with the Vice President’s declared income, net worth, and known sources of earnings.
“Kung ikukumpara sa declared income at net worth, malinaw na may malaking agwat na kailangang ipaliwanag,” he added.
Second, Ridon said the ₱1.55 billion in outflows also raises a separate concern.
“Ang susunod na tanong—saan napunta ang ₱1.55 billion na lumabas sa kanilang accounts?”
He said that large-scale movements of funds must also be accounted for, whether in the form of expenses, investments, or other financial activity.
“Hindi sapat na sabihing may lumabas na pera—kailangan ding ipaliwanag kung saan ito napunta at para saan ito ginamit,” he said.
But even after accounting for both inflows and outflows, Ridon said a significant amount remains.
The AMLC data reflects a net inflow of approximately ₱2.88 billion.
“At kahit ibawas natin ang outflows, may natitira pa ring ₱2.88 billion na net inflow,” Ridon said.
“Ibig sabihin, may malaking halaga ng pera na pumasok at nanatili—at iyon ang kailangang ipaliwanag.”
According to Ridon, this remaining amount is critical—regardless of any complaint questioning the disclosure.
“Hindi na ito usapan ng technicalities o kung paano na-disclose ang impormasyon,” he said.
“Usapan na ito ng kung paano ipapaliwanag ang bilyon-bilyong pumasok, gumalaw, at nanatili sa kanilang accounts.”
He emphasized that when viewed together, the figures point to a consistent issue:
source of funds (inflows)
use of funds (outflows)
remaining funds (net inflow)
“All three raise questions that go directly to accountability,” he said.
Ridon added that when these figures are measured against declared assets and lawful income, the gap remains substantial.
“At kung hindi ito maipaliwanag,” he said,
“ito ay nagbubukas ng isyu ng unexplained wealth at maaaring umabot sa betrayal of public trust.”
He said the breakdown of the AMLC data only reinforces—not weakens—the case.
“Hindi nito pinapahina ang isyu. Mas lalo nitong pinapalinaw,” Ridon said.
“And at the end of the day, iisa lang ang tanong, saan nanggaling ang pera, saan napunta, at bakit may natitirang bilyon na hindi maipaliwanag?” Ridon asked.
