AMLC can’t freeze Bautista’s accounts

Without a “predicate crime,” the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) cannot freeze the bank accounts of beleaguered Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista, an official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.

The NBI official, who spoke to The Manila Times on condition of anonymity, said, “AMLC could only order a freeze of bank account if there is a predicate crime clearly mentioned in the request.”