Senators question Malacañang's 'conditions' to certify anti-money laundering law amendments bill as urgent | ABS-CBN
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Senators question Malacañang's 'conditions' to certify anti-money laundering law amendments bill as urgent
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 16, 2020 07:19 PM PHT
MANILA - Senators on Wednesday scoffed at a document from Malacañang that imposed "conditions" before certifying as urgent a bill that would strengthen the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
MANILA - Senators on Wednesday scoffed at a document from Malacañang that imposed "conditions" before certifying as urgent a bill that would strengthen the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
In the Palace document sent to Senate President Vicente Sotto III's office on December 15, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would certify Senate Bill No. 1945 as urgent only if the chamber would retain the following provisions:
In the Palace document sent to Senate President Vicente Sotto III's office on December 15, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would certify Senate Bill No. 1945 as urgent only if the chamber would retain the following provisions:
- proposed reduction of the threshold for tax crimes to P20 million
- retention of the prevailing reporting threshold for real estate transactions
- grant of the requested additional investigative powers to the Anti-Money Laundering Council as reflected in House Bill No. 7904
- proposed reduction of the threshold for tax crimes to P20 million
- retention of the prevailing reporting threshold for real estate transactions
- grant of the requested additional investigative powers to the Anti-Money Laundering Council as reflected in House Bill No. 7904
The certification cannot "qualify as a letter of certification as far as the Senate is concerned because it violates the separation of powers," Senate President Vicente Sotto III said in plenary.
The certification cannot "qualify as a letter of certification as far as the Senate is concerned because it violates the separation of powers," Senate President Vicente Sotto III said in plenary.
"Indeed, there are times when the executive department would whisper their wishes on certain pieces of legislation, but it is never written down in black and white," he said.
"Indeed, there are times when the executive department would whisper their wishes on certain pieces of legislation, but it is never written down in black and white," he said.
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"This is the first time that it is done," he said.
"This is the first time that it is done," he said.
Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies chair Sen. Grace Poe gave a similar opinion, saying the executive branch should not impinge on the legislature's power to craft laws.
Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies chair Sen. Grace Poe gave a similar opinion, saying the executive branch should not impinge on the legislature's power to craft laws.
"By putting those conditions...It basically tells us to pass that version alone if we really want this bill to be qualified for that certification so in short, nakadikta po dito kung ano dapat ang probisyon na dapat nating ipasa," she said.
"By putting those conditions...It basically tells us to pass that version alone if we really want this bill to be qualified for that certification so in short, nakadikta po dito kung ano dapat ang probisyon na dapat nating ipasa," she said.
(In short, they are dictating upon us what provisions should be passed.)
(In short, they are dictating upon us what provisions should be passed.)
"I'm trying to be very diplomatic here, but I will always say this: That I will accept the amendments which I feel our colleagues have decided to be what is fair and what is right, and what will be effective in this law," she said.
"I'm trying to be very diplomatic here, but I will always say this: That I will accept the amendments which I feel our colleagues have decided to be what is fair and what is right, and what will be effective in this law," she said.
Because the Senate deemed the certification as invalid, the bill proposing amendments to the AMLA may not be passed on second and third reading within one session day.
Because the Senate deemed the certification as invalid, the bill proposing amendments to the AMLA may not be passed on second and third reading within one session day.
Congress will adjourn on December 19 and is expected to pass the bill on final reading next year.
Congress will adjourn on December 19 and is expected to pass the bill on final reading next year.
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Senate
Malacañang
Tito Sotto
Grace Poe
AMLA
separation of powers
certification as urgent measure
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