BSP: No such circular on shipment of gold bars

A “confidential” circular that supposedly allowed former President Benigno Aquino III to ship $141 billion worth of gold bars to Thailand in 2014 does not exist, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Following the filing of charges before the Ombudsman on Friday against Aquino, former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, then Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, then Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, then Senate President Franklin Drilon, as well as BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr., the BSP referred the Inquirer to an over-a-decade-old circular warning the public against scammers that use fake documents supposedly signed by central bank officials.

In a statement, Aquino’s former deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte branded the complaint as patently absurd on its face.

“It defies logic, which is not surprising since it came from a fake news site. First, there is no Department of Nutrition and Local Government. Second, the Secretary of Justice and Secretary of Interior and Local Government are not members of the Monetary Board. Even the law alleged to have been violated—Republic Act No. 7655—has nothing to do with the supposed crime. RA 7655 is the law that raised the minimum wage for househelpers,” Valte said.

“The blatant disregard for simple facts is telling of the provenance of the allegations. There is a saying in Tagalog: ‘Ang pumatol sa baliw, baliw,’” she added.

In 2006, the BSP warned against any attempt to sell or trade so-called “bank guarantees” or “safekeeping receipt” allegedly issued by BSP officials.

These documents supposedly served as certifications of gold bullion deposits.

According to the BSP, it “never issued such types of document because it does not accept gold bullion deposits for safekeeping.”

“Any document alleging that certain individuals or companies have gold bullion deposits with the BSP are fraudulent, fictitious and outright forgeries.” TVJ