Ligot wife questioned about P30-M investment

Erlinda Ligot, the wife of former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot, was grilled by senators on Tuesday about investments worth $700,000 or around P30 million reportedly under her name. During the continuation of the Senate hearing on the alleged corruption in the military, Sen. Franklin Drilon revealed that Mrs. Ligot had purchased $700,000 worth of investments at Deustche Bank in 2003. The investments will reach maturity in 2013. "It means you still have these in bonds," Drilon told Mrs. Ligot. Drilon explained that the documents in his possession showed that the money used in the investment was sourced from Mr. Ligot's dollar account in CitiBank. Mr. Ligot, however, denied knowing anything about the investment. Mrs. Ligot said she does not remember making such an investment and asked Drilon to show her the document he was referring to. Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III said he doubts that Mrs. Ligot would not know about the investment. "I don't think anybody can forget P30 million," he said. Drilon and Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano then challenged Mrs. Ligot to write to Deustche Bank and waive her rights to the investments. Mrs. Ligot, however, said she cannot give away the account until she has seen the document. “Hindi po ako mag-eexecute ng waiver hangga't di ko nakikita yung dokumento (I will not execute a waiver until I've seen the documents)," she said. Drilon said he will provide Mrs. Ligot a copy of the documents in the next committee hearing. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News