Around P3.9 billion worth of assets of a high-ranking official and a former elected official have been issued freeze orders in line with the government’s investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), in a press release on Wednesday, said it secured the freeze orders on Tuesday, and this cover 230 bank accounts, 15 insurance policies, two helicopters, and an airplane of an incumbent official of an independent constitutional body and a former elected official.
“The assets were determined to be linked to violations of Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” as well as “Malversation of Public Funds and Property under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended,” it said.
AMLC did not identify the owners of the said assets but AMLC Executive Director Matthew David said, “issuance of the freeze orders will enable AMLC to pursue a more extensive financial investigation to uncover any possible money laundering scheme linked to the flood control projects.”
“The public can be assured that the AMLC will continue to pursue all possible legal remedies to ensure that those involved in the misuse of public funds are held accountable,” he said.
Investigations into the questionable government flood control projects have resulted to the issuance of freeze orders against 3,566 bank accounts, 198 insurance policies, 247 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, and 16 e-wallet accounts, worth a total of around P11.7 billion.