Garcia bank account now only P8,000?

MANILA, Philippines - One of the bank accounts where former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller Carlos Garcia allegedly deposited millions now has only P8,638.12.

But Planters Development Bank (PDB) has expressed willingness to surrender the amount to the Sandiganbayan, where the former military general is facing plunder charges.

In a pleading submitted to the anti-graft court’s Second Division, lawyers Odel Janda and Maricar Montano said account number 0060900116 in the name of IJT International Caregiver Center allegedly owned by Garcia and his family exists.

The PDB, through its legal counsels, said it is ready to turn over the contents of the same, which is also the subject of a forfeiture case filed against Garcia and his family before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division.

The letters IJT in the business name of the Caregiver Center allegedly represent Garcia’s sons’ first names – Ian Carl, Juan Paolo and Timothy Mark.

“PDB is prepared to release the said amount to the Republic of the Philippines at any time and in compliance with the Order of the Honorable Court,” PDB said.

The bank said it is making the disclosure pursuant to the plunder and also the money laundering case filed against the Garcias before the Sandiganbayan.

Accusing them of amassing P303 million in unexplained wealth, the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against Garcia and his sons on April 6, 2005.

In December last year, the anti-graft agency also filed money laundering charges against Garcia based on suspicious withdrawals in his bank accounts in the amount of P73 million and $967,215.99 within a period of only four days, from Oct. 5 to 8, 2004.