Alyansa’ bets seek automatic waiver of bank secrecy for gov’t officials
ILOILO— SENATORIAL candidates of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas are pushing for stricter accountability measures, particularly an automatic waiver of bank secrecy for all government officials to combat corruption.
In a press conference, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson vowed to refile his bill mandating all officials—elected or appointed—to waive their rights under the Bank Secrecy Act when investigated for graft.
“Basta pumasok ka sa gobyerno—whether appointee or elective official—maski lowest clerk, maski lowest salary grade hanggang sa pinakamataas, dapat deemed, dapat naka-waive ang rights mo under the Bank Secrecy Act, especially kung merong investigation laban sa ‘yo related sa graft and corruption,” Lacson said.
The former police chief-turned-legislator said this concrete action aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s repeated calls for integrity and accountability in public service.
Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III backed Lacson’s proposal, pushing for amendments to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) law to prevent abuse.
“Maganda ‘yun because the plan of Senator Lacson, and I support it, is to amend the SALN law,” Sotto said, citing how vague provisions were used in the impeachment case of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also threw his support behind the proposal, underscoring the need for strict enforcement of the SALN law alongside mandatory bank waivers.
“I also join that suggestion of Senator Lacson na hindi lang [dahil may imbestigasyon], from the very first day may waiver ka na of your bank accounts. Not only that, the strict implementation of the SALN, napaka-importante po no’n sa lahat ng empleyado ng gobyerno,” Abalos said.
House Deputy Majority Leader and Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, pushed for broader asset disclosures beyond bank accounts.
“It should not only be limited to bank accounts, pati mga properties, etc.,” Tulfo said. “Sana huwag maging balat-sibuyas ang mga nakaupong opisyales pati sa Senado’t Kongreso kapag nagkaroon [ng ganitong batas].”
“I’m open to that kasi nga you’re a government official at gumagawa ka ng mga batas, so dapat ikaw ay maging example, mayroon kang credibility, and dapat example ka na hindi ka corrupt being an official,” he added.
Aside from these four senatorial candidates, the Alyansa slate also includes Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
