Prosecution blocks Jinggoy’s request for subpoena on Benhur’s bank records

State prosecutors on Wednesday opposed Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s bid to have bank accounts of whistleblowers subpoenaed, saying such a broad request was nothing but a “fishing expedition.”

 

“To begin with, Estrada has not shown that the documents sought to be produced are actually existing. The request failed to designate the documents to be subpoenaed with sufficient particularity, making it a "fishing expedition" which is clearly beyond the scope of law,” the lawyers' opposition said. 

 

Estrada earlier asked the Sandiganbayan to subpoena the bank accounts of Benhur Luy, his mother, and several other whistleblowers, as well as any document on Anti-Money Laundering Council investigations over the said accounts.

 

Luy is the former trusted aide of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles. He has since turned whistleblower and is the primary witness in the government's plunder and graft cases against Senators Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

 

In addition to the bank documents, Estrada also wants AMLC representatives to be present during the senator’s bail hearing.

 

But the prosecution slammed the request saying it was too broad to be considered valid.

 

“The request is so broad in nature as would require the AMLC to produce voluminous documents and records containing information that may have neither value or relevance,” the opposition said.

 

Government lawyers also cited the Bank Secrecy Law, saying that since the whistleblowers are not accused in the case, their accounts are protected. —NB, GMA News