BUSINESSMAN Kim Wong, who allegedly referred four depositors to open foreign currency accounts in Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. that were used in the $81-million Bangladesh Bank cyberheist, is expected to appear in Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing today.
Former senator Panfilo Lacson, who is seeking reelection in May’s election, said Wong, his long-time friend and supporter also known as Wong Kam Sin, will face the Senate hearing “to tell all and to correct some false testimonies.”
But Senator Koko Pimentel said he had some doubts about Wong after former RCBC branch manager Maia Deguito claimed the businessman is a friend of RCBC president Lorenzo Tan.
“If he invokes some right and does not talk then he is not telling it all. Hence, either he lied to [former Senator Panfilo] Lacson or Lacson is lying to the media,” said Pimentel.
Senator Ralph Recto, on the other hand, welcomes Wong’s attendance during the third hearing of the Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Senator Teofisto Guingona.
“We hope he tells all he knows. He will be taking an oath to tell the truth. He can be penalized by the committee if he is caught lying,” Recto said.
However, a list, containing the names of witnesses and resource persons expected in the hearing, showed that Wong is No. 26, but it indicated the businessman will not appear personally and will only be represented by his lawyer Victor Fernandez.
Among those who confirmed their attendance are Bangko Sentral deputy governor Nestor Espenilla, Insurance Commissioner and Anti-Money Laundering Council member Emmanuel Dooc and ALMC executive director Julia Bacay-Abad.
Also expected at the hearing are Pagcor president Eugene Manalastas, RCBC president Lorenzo Tan, Philrem president Salud Bautista, Deguito and bank employee Ma. Angela Ruth Torres.