FG gets confirmation from German bank that First Family has no secret accounts

The German bank where the family of President Arroyo reportedly holds secret multi-million dollar accounts has issued another certification that categorically states not one of the Arroyos opened an account in the last 10 years, a lawmaker said yesterday.

Bohol Rep. Roberto Cajes, who heads the House ethics panel, went to Munich Tuesday to verify the accusations of Deputy Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano that the First Family has accounts in HypoVereins Bank.

Cajes told QTV late Friday that officials of HypoVereins Bank issued an "extended certification" — after issuing a similar certification in September 2006 — reiterating that no member of the Arroyo family had accounts, placements, investments or transactions at any of its branches or offices worldwide for the past decade.

With Cajes were Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles and Alagad party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who are also members of the ethics panel. House accounts panel chairman Robert "Ace" Barbers said the Munich trip was funded by the ethics panel.

Cayetano refused to accept the veracity of the certifications earlier issued by the HypoVereins Bank to the Arroyos.

Cayetano, who represents the lone Taguig-Pateros district, earlier branded as "defenders and protectors" of Mrs. Arroyo’s family the administration congressmen he claimed are trying to railroad the expulsion and misconduct cases filed against him by the Arroyos.

The three-man Munich mission is expected to arrive tomorrow. The ethics committee will resume hearing the cases against Cayetano tomorrow and on Tuesday, which has been the subject of his complaint.

Cayetano, who has been included in the opposition’s senatorial lineup, lashed out at the decision of the House ethics committee to convene last Wednesday, when there was no scheduled hearing, because it was originally set on Feb. 6.

"I strongly condemn the committee’s unethical behavior and railroading of proceedings. There was no agreement that I present evidence, as requiring me to do so would be prejudging the case," he said.

He also complained about the "additional hearing date" set for tomorrow and accused the committee of conspiring with the "Arroyo defenders" to make him their "Valentine’s gift" to First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and Mrs. Arroyo, "disregarding all my rights to due process."

"I will not be silenced to ask the question that the Filipino people are asking regarding the wealth of the First Family," Cayetano said. He also accused the administration lawmakers of prejudging the case even before they have read the pleadings and evidence.

Last week, Cayetano wanted the Cajes panel to hold marathon hearings on the expulsion case the Arroyos filed against him, if only to prove they indeed maintained secret accounts in Germany. Contrary to his earlier complaints, where he accused the administration congressmen of "railroading" the process, Cayetano suddenly asked that the proceedings — aired live over ABS-CBN News Channel and some radio stations — be extended. — With Aurea Calica