LANDBANK: All transactions complied with law, above board, and in accordance with mandated procedures

English Version:

LANDBANK strongly refutes any insinuations that its handling of government contractor accounts, particularly those related to the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) flood control projects, involved any irregular or unlawful activity.

The Bank affirms that all transactions in question were carried out strictly within the bounds of Philippine banking laws and regulations, under full compliance with government mandates and oversight requirements.

The funds deposited in the account of DPWH contractors originated from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), released pursuant to the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as passed by Congress, and disbursed by the DPWH.

These funds are legitimate government allocations, not private or unverified sources. LANDBANK, or any other financial institution, has no legal authority to block or question duly appropriated government disbursements.

To facilitate fulfillment of government contracts, all creditors/suppliers/payees (i.e. contractors), are enjoined to open and maintain deposit accounts with banks such as LANDBANK, pursuant to DBM Circular No. 2018-14 and Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) Circular No. 3-2018. The Bank has fully observed “Know Your Client” (KYC) protocols, risk management procedures, and documentation requirements for the opening of their LANDBANK accounts.

As mandated by the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA):

• All cash withdrawals exceeding ₱500,000 are automatically reported to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) through a Covered Transaction Report (CTR).

• Any transaction deemed “suspicious” at the time of execution is immediately flagged to AMLC via a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR).

In this case, the legitimacy of the source of funds—government releases through DPWH, the lawful purpose of the payments, and the KYC account opening documentation of the contractors—have all been properly established and recorded. There was, therefore, no basis under the law to withhold the release of funds.

LANDBANK reiterates that its role is to faithfully execute banking transactions in accordance with law and regulatory standards, and not to assume investigatory functions outside its legal mandate.

The Bank remains committed to the highest standards of integrity, regulatory compliance, and public trust. At the same time, it stands ready to fully cooperate with the proper authorities and investigating bodies to help establish the truth and serve the ends of justice.

LANDBANK also affirms that this matter does not diminish its ongoing work of carrying out its mandate—empowering the agricultural sector, supporting farmers and fishers, and advancing the goals of the farming community, which remain at the heart of LANDBANK’s mission of nation-building.

Filipino Version:

LANDBANK: Lahat ng transaksyon ay malinaw, legal, at naaayon sa tamang proseso

Mariing pinabubulaanan ng LANDBANK ang anumang paratang hinggil sa tiwaling paghawak umano nito ng accounts ng mga kontratista ng gobyerno, kasama na ang para sa mga flood control project ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Ang lahat ng transaksyon na isinagawa ng LANDBANK ay naaayon sa batas at regulasyon ng pagbabangko sa Pilipinas, at mahigpit na sumusunod sa mga alituntunin at mandato ng pamahalaan.

Nilinaw nito na ang pondong idineposito sa account ng mga kontratista ay galing sa Department of Budget and Management (DBM), na nakapaloob sa General Appropriations Act (GAA), na ipinasa ng Kongreso, at ibinayad ng DPWH.

Ito ay malinaw na pondong galing sa gobyerno. Kaya’t wala ring kapangyarihan ang LANDBANK, o anumang bangko, upang pigilan o kuwestiyunin ang mga pondong naitalaga na ng gobyerno.

Upang maisagawa ang mga proyekto ng pamahalaan, lahat ng kontratista nito ay obligadong magbukas at magpanatili ng account sa mga bangko, tulad ng LANDBANK, alinsunod sa DBM Circular No. 2018-14 at Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) Circular No. 3-2018. Siniguro ng LANDBANK na nasunod ang lahat ng “Know Your Client” (KYC) requirements at iba pang dokumentong kailangan bago mabuksan ang mga account na ito.

Ayon sa mandato ng Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA):

• Kung ang cash withdrawal ay higit ₱500,000, awtomatiko itong nirereport sa Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

• Kapag may kahina-hinalang transaksyon, agad din itong iniuulat sa AMLC.

Sa sitwasyong ito, malinaw na ang pondo ay galing sa gobyerno — may tamang gamit, at maayos na mga dokumentong isinumite ng DPWH. Sa makatuwid, walang batayan sa ilalim ng batas para pigilan ang paglabas ng pondo.

Muli, nililinaw ng LANDBANK na ang tungkulin nito ay tiyaking tama ang pagproseso ng mga transaksyon nang naaayon sa batas, at labas sa mandato nito ang pag-iimbestiga.

Ang LANDBANK ay patuloy na naninindigan sa integridad ng operasyon nito, pagsunod sa mga batas at alituntunin, at pangangalaga sa tiwala ng publiko. Handa rin itong makipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad upang makatulong sa pagpapalabas ng katotohanan at paghahatid ng katarungan para sa taumbayan.

Sinisiguro rin ng LANDBANK na hindi malilihis ng isyung ito ang misyon nitong patuloy na paunlarin at bigyang sigla ang sektor ng agrikultura, suportahan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, at isulong ang kanilang kapakanan bilang mahalagang bahagi ng ating lipunan.