P4Bn Combined Deposits in Jose Pidal Accounts Discovered

Senator Serge Osmeña holds up signature specimens of Jose Pidal signatures rendered by former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo vis-à-vis those rendered by his younger brother, the late congressman Iggy Arroyo.

Even with the sudden passing of Congressman Iggy Arroyo who claimed to be Jose Pidal, the need to uncover the truth behind the Arroyo’s funnelling of funds into their own bank accounts still rings high.

Days after Arroyo passed away due to complications of a liver disease, Senator Panfilo Lacson called for a reopening of the Jose Pidal case.  The case involved the controversial bank account under the fictitious name of Jose Pidal which served as the deposit vehicle of over P300 million in campaign funds intended for former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s re-election bid.  It would be recalled that sometime in July of 2011, Lacson already made moves to further investigate the case. 

As new information about two more bank accounts under the separate name of Arroyo brothers Iggy and Mike surfaced, Lacson sees it fit to push for the reopening of the case at the Senate once again.  Both bank accounts allegedly contains some P2Bn each in deposits.  “Mayroon akong information na nandoon pa at nadagdagan pa.  Kasi may nakita akong dokumento na mula noong taong napaguusapan ‘yung Jose Pidal accounts hanggang ngayon may mga entries doon na pumapasok.  At hindi biro-birong amount ang nandoon, hindi lamang kay Iggy kung hindi kay Mike,” Lacson revealed.

In deference to the grieving of the Arroyo family, Lacson concedes that now is not the time to start any form of investigation.  He said “hindi magandang pangitain na ngayon sisimulan ang imbestigasyon.  Mayroon naming oras para doon.”  As far as the Arroyo camp is concerned, there are no such accounts in existence, “kung mahanap niya, e sa kanya na ang P2 billion to dispose of as he deems fit.  Kung gusto niya, i-donate niya sa mga biktima ng Kuratong Baleleng,” said Arroyo lawyer Ferdinand Topacio in response to the new allegations. 

Lacson remains firm in his expose and declared that he has in his possession documentary evidence to support his allegations.  With the death of Iggy, Lacson also said that his family might lay claim on the accounts.  Atty. Lorna Kapunan, lawyer of Iggy’s legal spouse Aleli, said that any funds in the name of Jose Pidal should go to the Filipino people.

Photo:  senate.gov.ph