CA freezes alleged carjackers' bank accounts

The Court of Appeals has issued a 20-day freeze order on the bank accounts of Raymond and Roger Dominguez, alleged leaders of a car theft syndicate. The appellate court's Second Division gave weight to the petition of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and found probable cause to freeze the Dominguezes' bank accounts, including those of their relatives. "Wherefore, a freeze order is hereby issued, effective immediately and for a period of twenty days, freezing the bank accounts, deposits, and all related web of accounts and deposits under the names of Raymond S. Dominguez, Roger S. Dominguez...," said the CA's resolution written by Associate Justice Michel Elbinias. Just last Tuesday, the CA's Special Second Division issued a freeze order on the assets of members of the Ampatuan clan, alleged masterminds of the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province. The Dominguezes are facing car theft and homicide charges for the killing of car dealers Venson Evangelista and Emerson Lozano last January. A month later, the Lozano family asked the AMLC to freeze the bank accounts and assets of the Dominguez brothers, including those of Raymond's rumored girlfriend, former starlet Katrina Paula. "We humbly submit that the proceeds of their unlawful activities may have been disposed of to their families and others by establishing business to make the proceeds appear to have originated from legal sources," said Lozano. CA resolution In its resolution, the Court of Appeals likewise ordered the following frozen: the bank accounts of Enrique Carl G. Lopez, Megalizer Agri Products, Inc., Benigno Buzon Victorino, Myvanwy C. Magsino, Leopoldo H. Dominguez, Vicenta S. Dominguez, Betty Dominguez, Angeline Samonte-Yap (a.k.a. Katrina Paula), Athens Samonte-Yap and Jayson Miranda in BDO, Unibank, Metrobank, BPI, Development Bank of the Philippines, Planters Development Bank and several others. “Pursuant to Rules 10.3a and 10.3b of the Implementing Rules, immediately upon receipt of this freeze order, BDO, Unibank, Metrobank, Planter Bank and BPI are directed to freeze the subject bank accounts, and to furnish the owners and/or holders of such bank accounts, deposits and all related web of accounts and deposits with a copy of the notice of the freeze order," said the appellate court. “In accordance with Rule 10.3c of the Implementing Rules moreover; such mentioned banks are further directed to within 24 hours from receipt of this order, submit by personal delivery to this court and to the AMLC, a complete return on the Freeze Order showing compliance of suck banks," it added. — LBG, GMA News