A congressman filed a bill on Wednesday that would give the ombudsman the power to access bank accounts without a court order, as calls for more public accountability grow amid the growing flood control scandal.
Deputy minority leader and party-list representative Leila M. de Lima said the Office of the Ombudsman should have the power to examine the past records of government officials under investigation to strengthen the power of the anti-corruption body to look into anomalous deals involving politicians.
“These uncontrolled flows of dirty money – including potential patterns of money laundering – have been made possible by the lack of adequate enforcement and regulatory mechanisms to detect and report suspicious transactions in our banks,” he said in a statement.
Ms. de Lima said House Bill No. 5701 could give the ombudsman the power to issue subpoenas and take testimony from persons of interest, as well as grant access to their bank accounts without requiring formal fees or court approval. , Kenneth Christian L. basilio
