2 senators uneasy over government power to freeze accounts

TWO senators whose fathers’ bank accounts were frozen after they were ousted from power expressed apprehensions over a proposal that will allow government to withhold depositors’ access to their cash.
This developed after Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said Wednesday a proposal to give the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) authority to freeze a bank account without its owner’s knowledge might be used to put pressure on critics of the administration.
Estrada, whose father’s bank accounts were frozen after he was ousted as President in 2001, said although proposed amendments sponsored by Senator Teofisto Guingona III are meant to give the AMLC more teeth against “suspected drug lords, gambling lords, and shady characters,” the power to ask a court to freeze an account before telling the depositor about it could be abused.
“For example, if there is someone very vocal against the administration, (AMLC) can look into your bank accounts. That’s frightening,” he told reporters. He added the proposal may give businessmen a reason to worry.
In September 2001, ex-President Joseph Estrada’s six savings and current bank accounts worth P11 million were frozen after these were discovered to have been ill-gotten, a report from the British Broadcasting System’s website said.
Estrada said he will not oppose the amendments but will seek clarifications from Guingona. “In fact, I am not going to be affected by this because I am not a (money) launderer. I will not completely oppose it.”
For his part, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose late father’s Swiss bank accounts were similarly frozen after he was deposed in 1986, expressed concern regarding “the ease of acquiring an ex parte freeze order.”
In September 1997, eight Swiss accounts of the senator’s father totaling $13 billion were frozen by a Los Angeles court. The accounts were held in trust for the widow and the children of the former dictator, a report from the Los Angeles Times website said.
Imelda, the widow, is currently the representative of the second district of Ilocos Norte while daughter Imee is Ilocos governor.
Under the committee report, the AMLC can petition the Regional Trial Court, Court of Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan for a freeze order, and the court is directed to act on it either before the close of business hours or within 24 hours from filing the petition, whichever comes first.
If granted, the freeze order is valid for 20 days unless the Supreme Court issues a restraining order on the freeze. No other court can stop the freezing of accounts.
Senator Joker Arroyo said the measure could be used as a “weapon of political vendetta.” He said the proposed amendment, if allowed, will violate due process and is biased in favor of the government. The AMLC faces no punishment or liability for freezing the wrong account, he said. “I dissent.”
Under the current law, AMLC has to notify the depositor that his accounts are to be frozen and only the Court of Appeals can issue a freeze order.
The current law also defines the predicate crimes that will allow the AMLC to look into suspect bank accounts. Under the law, these predicate crimes include kidnapping, drug trafficking, graft, plunder, piracy, jueteng, robbery, and extortion.
“A freeze order must be issued at the soonest possible time to ensure that monetary instruments and properties will not be withdrawn by the accused in an attempt to hide the proceeds of unlawful activities committed,” Guingona said in his sponsorship speech of the proposal.
The AMLC failed to freeze the accounts of Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot, both former military officers accused of stealing money from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, before the money was withdrawn.
According to Senate hearings on military corruption earlier this year, Ligot was able to withdraw around P700 million before the AMLC could act.
Fifteen senators signed the committee report on the amendments, including Senate committee on banks chairman Senator Sergio Osmena III and Guingona, his vice chairman. Six senators who signed the report have reservations, however. Estrada himself wrote that he had “very strong reservations.”
He said he signed the report so it could be brought to the Senate floor for debate.
Senator Manuel Villar Jr., chairman of the Senate trade committee, also signed the report with “strong” reservations. “The Constitutional principle of due process should be observed at all times,” he wrote. (Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)
Source : http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/12/08/2-senators-uneasy-over-government-power-freeze-accounts-194624

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

Things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

Residents of Pampanga Angeles City, Subic, Tarlac and Clark Philippines know of this wine shop as one of the best places in Clark, a good night out place and simply the best place to hang out, enjoy some good wine with cheese on the roof deck with good atmosphere, or just relax and unwind with friends and family in a cool place. This wine shop in Clark Pampanga is recognized by many to be one of the best places to buy fine vintage wine in the Philippines. Located near Mimosa Leisure Estate surrounded by golf courses, resorts and a casino, this well known wine shop is frequently visited for its good selection of wine not available in Manila or Subic. Clark Wine Center is open 7 days a week from 10am to 8pm. Private dinners, wine tastings and group gatherings can be organized by advanced reservation.

Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most guests would stop by this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center to bring home a few good bottles of fine vintage wine also. Other visitors may find the wine selections in some of the restaurants in Angeles City Pampanga to be less than interesting, so they stop by this wine shop near Angeles City Pampanga Clark Philippines, buy some good wines and bring these bottles of good vintage wines to the restaurants so they can enjoy the dinner.

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Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

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Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com