MALAPIT na maipasa ng House of Representatives ang panukalang i-examine ang bank account ng sinuman kung may sapat na grounds para imbestigahan dahil sangkot sa serious irregularities o unlawful activities, ayon kay Deputy Majority Leader Luigi Villafuerte.

Pasado na ng House committee on banks and financial intermediaries ang relaxation ng RA 1405 o ang “Secrecy of Bank Deposits” law.

Ang House committee-approved proposed bill consolidation ng walong bills na naga-amend sa bank secrecy law.

Isa ang HB na ito sa 44 measures sa Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) na inendorso ng Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

“The congressional approval of this proposed amendment to RA 1405 is timely, given that it is among the priority bills of the Marcos administration in the 20th Congress and is in step with Malacañang’s efforts to double down on its anti-graft drive,” sabi ni Rep. Villafuerte.

“Lifting the secrecy of bank deposits will certainly complement the government’s drive for greater transparency with the recent decision by Ombudsman (Jesus Crispin) Remulla to restore public access to the SALNs (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth) of both appointed and elected public officials.

The approval of this bill further addresses the push by business groups for the government to strengthen transparency and accountability in Government as a better means to combat official corruption,” dagdag niya.

Aprubado ng Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), Makati Business Club (MBC) and Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) ang lifting ng bank secrecy law.

Sinabi naman ni Rep. Migz Villafuerte na ni-refile ang panukalang batas para i- exempt ang BSP sa bank secrecy provision.

“There are even banks that allow online deposits of their checks, which means that depositing money in bank accounts can now be accessible with just a few clicks of the mobile phones of depositors, making money flow in the economy faster as well,” sabi ni Rep. Migz.

Sinabi nina Migz at Luigi na may gumagamit sa RA 1405 para itago ang mga ill-gotten wealth dahil sa proteksyon ng mga bangko.