Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said on Tuesday that Vice President Sara Duterte’s decision to dig up his past consultancy work with the city government of Davao betrays her nervousness about the impeachment trial.

In an ambush interview on Tuesday, Ridon confirmed that he indeed worked as a consultant for Davao City in 2018, when Duterte was still city mayor, as a consultant for poverty alleviation matters.

However, Ridon said he cannot understand why Duterte would now say it as a source of conflict of interest for his current post as public prosecutor for the vice president’s trial before the Senate impeachment court – offering her a tissue to wipe her tears.

‘Very important po na linawin din, ang trabaho ko po ngayon bilang prosecutor ay iba doon sa trabaho ko po dati. So what is the conflict of interest here? What does the vice president want, Just because you were a consultant, magsusumamo kami sa kanya, magpapasalamat kami sa kanya dahil tinulungan niya ‘yong buhay ko? I don’t think so,’ Ridon said.

(It’s very important that we clarify: my work as a prosecutor is different from what I did before. So what is the conflict of interest here? What does the vice president want, just because you were a consultant, you will come pleading to her, thank her for helping me in my life? I don’t think so.)

‘The prosecution panel will not be distracted by this attack by the vice president; we are in the middle of exposing unexplained wealth […] And katulad ng lagi ho nating ginagawa: Ma’am, ito po ‘yong tissue, punasan ho niyo ‘yong luha niyo, kasi ramdam na ho namin ‘yong kaba,’ he added.

(The prosecution panel will not be distracted by this attack by the vice president; we are in the middle of exposing unexplained wealth […] And like I always do: Ma’am, here’s some tissue, dry your tears because we can feel your fear.)

In a press briefing in Davao City on Tuesday, Duterte was asked about supposed certifications about Ridon’s work in the city that are circulating over social media. In response, the vice president said that he knew about Ridon’s stint in Davao, but he wanted to wait for the lawmaker to make this revelation himself and admit to an alleged conflict of interest.

‘Alam mo, matagal ko na alam ‘yan, hindi ko naman nakalimutan na si Terry Ridon ay nagtrabaho sa city government of Davao, hindi ko lang nilabas, kasi gusto ko na sabihin ni Terry Ridon mismo na meron akong conflict of interest dito, dahil nagtrabaho ako bilang consultant,’ Duterte said.

(You know, I’ve known that for a long time; I cannot forget that Terry Ridon worked for the city government of Davao. I did not release it because I want Terry Ridon himself to say that I have a conflict of interest here, because I worked as a consultant.)

‘Sa Philippine Commission for Urban Poor, pinalayas siay doon, tapos he (Ridon) came crawling to a Dabawenyo na kakilala niya,’ she added. ‘Sabi no’ng tao na I trust kasi maayos naman magtrabaho ‘yong tao na ‘yon, I trusted him, sabi niya maayos magtrabaho ‘yan […] Oh my God, it turns out nothing at all, walang sinubmit ‘yan na trabaho,’ she added.

(He was kicked from the Sa Philippine Commission for Urban Poor, then he (Ridon) came crawling to a Davaoeño he knew. The person whom I trust said that person works well; I trusted him because he said so […] Oh my God, it turns out nothing at all; he did not submit any work.)

Ridon however asked Duterte what she wants to do with him – whether the vice president desires that he bow down to her being a former consultant.

‘So what is the conflict of interest matter that the Vice President is actually talking about? Unless ang gusto niya sabihin, na por que’t tao ka dati, por que’t consultant ka dati, dapat nagsusumamo ka sa mga Duterte. Parang hindi ho ata tama ‘yon,’ Ridon said in a subsequent press briefing.

(So what is the conflict of interest matter that the Vice President is actually talking about? Unless what she wants to say is because you were under me before, you were a consultant, you should plead before the Dutertes. I don’t think that’s proper.)

‘I mean, the impeachment is more than me, more than the people here today. But we feel it betrays her actual nervousness on the matter, well, I show it earlier, and I will show it again: Madam vice president, may tissue ho dito, para po sa inyo,’ he added.

According to Ridon, he would have not taken the job if he knew of the issues surrounding the Dutertes.

‘Kasi at that time hindi naman ho natin alam na merong P4.4 billion in total transactions over the course of 20 years. And if I had known then, probably I would have opted out on that particular engagement,’ he noted.

(Because at that time we did not know that there were P4.4 billion in total transactions over the course of 20 years. And if I had known then, probably I would have opted out on that particular engagement.)

Ridon and the Dutertes share an uncanny relationship.

After Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte won the 2016 presidential race, Ridon – a former lawmaker of Kabataan party-list, was tapped to head the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).

Ridon’s appointment was announced in August 2016. However, in just a little over a year, in December 2017, the older Duterte announced that he fired all PCUP commissioners for Ridon’s alleged frequent junkets.

‘I have no personal reasons to fire him except you had too much, too soon. He was appointed September and he traveled about seven times. To think the office is an urban poor agency,’ the former president said in December 2017.

‘I simply cannot … I cannot understand why you have to be there at every powwow in the international scene. We cannot afford it,’ he added.

Ridon, however, clarified that the agency had submitted reports of its programs and activities to Malacañang, contrary to what former President Duterte said.

Ridon’s consultancy gig with Davao City under the younger Duterte came afterward. But in 2025, after his return to the House of Representatives during the 20th Congress, Ridon became one of the staunchest critics of the Dutertes, calling out the former president for the past administration’s drug war, and the vice president over the confidential fund issue.

Eventually, Ridon became a central figure in the impeachment discussions, quizzing resource persons at the House Committee on Justice clarificatory hearings on the complaints against Vice President Duterte, and was even named one of the public prosecutors.

The national government sharply increased its drawdown of project loans in the first half of the year as it tapped more foreign financing to accelerate infrastructure development.

According to the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), project loan disbursements nearly doubled to P74.2 billion from January to June, up 90 percent from a year earlier.

The amount also exceeded the P48.7-billion midyear program by 52.5 percent.

‘Project loans also increased by 90.0 percent from the previous year, driven by the continued implementation of infrastructure and social welfare programs under the ‘Build-Better-More Program,” the DBCC said in its latest midyear report.

Project loans are foreign borrowings tied to specific projects, mostly for infrastructure.

Broken down, the Japan International Cooperation Agency provided the biggest share of project financing at P35.1 billion. Of this, P15.4 billion was allocated to the second tranche of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Metro Manila Subway Project (Phase 1), while another P9.4 billion went to the North-South Commuter Railway Project.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) followed with P18.1 billion, including P6.8 billion for the second tranche of the Malolos-Clark Railway Project and another P6.8 billion for the first tranche of the South Commuter Railway Project, both under the DOTr.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) accounted for P15.1 billion.

Program loans

Meanwhile, program loans, which are broader foreign financing for government programs and policy reforms, remained much larger than project loans at P156.2 billion.

This, however, was down 8.8 percent from a year earlier and 3 percent below the P161.1-billion program for the period.

‘Program loans were lower and below target as the government tapped more project loans for the first semester to accelerate infrastructure development,’ the DBCC said.

ADB accounted for the bulk of program loans at P76 billion, followed by IBRD with P62.2 billion and Agence Française de Développement with P14.2 billion.

The increase in project-loan disbursements helped push total gross external borrowings to P544.8 billion in the first half, 35.4 percent higher than a year earlier and nearly 4 percent above the P524.1-billion program.

Eleven government troopers were wounded-three in critical condition-after their convoy was ambushed on Monday morning in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, breaking the reign of peace and security that local government officials and the military have worked hard to preserve over the years.

Army Brig. Gen. Frederick Sales, commander of the 1101st Infantry (Gagandilan) Brigade, told the Inquirer that unidentified gunmen ambushed the military convoy at 7:45 a.m. in Sitio (subvillage) Bauno Dagao, Barangay Badja, wounding 10 soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion (45IB) and one member of the Civilian Armed Auxiliary Unit.

The convoy, led by 45IB commander Lt. Col. Franco Baylon, was traveling from Tipo-Tipo toward Lamitan City aboard three KM450 military utility trucks and three civilian vehicles when the gunmen opened fire.

The military convoy fired back at the attackers, triggering a two-minute gun battle, Sales said, citing a report from Baylon.

Three severely wounded troops were immediately airlifted by a Philippine Air Force Black Hawk helicopter to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City for emergency medical treatment.

‘The brigade immediately deployed appropriate response and security measures and coordinated with concerned units and authorities,’ the 1101st Infantry Brigade said in a statement.

Probe under way

It added: ‘An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.’

The Joint Task Force Orion also confirmed the deployment of reinforcements to secure the area and prevent further threats to nearby communities.

‘Our troops remain vigilant and committed to fulfilling their duty of protecting the people of Basilan and preserving the peace and security that communities and stakeholders have worked hard to achieve,’ JTF Orion stated, appealing to the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information on social media.

Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman strongly condemned the ambush and urged security forces to pursue the unidentified perpetrators ‘firmly but with restraint’ to protect innocent civilians.

‘We pray for the swift recovery of the soldiers wounded in the incident and stand with their families,’ Hataman said in a statement.

The governor called on the residents to remain calm and asked for their help for the arrest of the suspects.

‘Basilan has worked too hard for peace to allow this incident to drag us back into fear and violence,’ Hataman emphasized. ‘Let us remain calm, vigilant, and united, and let the rule of law prevail.’

Tipo-Tipo Mayor Arcam Istarul denounced the attack, calling it a ‘treacherous ambush’ against government forces serving the region.

‘This violent act against our soldiers, who are fulfilling their duty to protect peace and security, has no place in our communities,’ Istarul said in a separate statement.

He added: ‘Any attack against those who serve to protect our communities is an attack against peace and security itself.’

Crop losses in Bohol have reached an estimated P173.69 million due to the prolonged dry spell linked to El Niño, affecting 6,676 farmers in 24 of the province’s 48 municipalities and city, according to a partial assessment by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

The provincial government is now preparing for a cloud-seeding operation expected to start on Oct. 9 to bring rain to drought-hit farms and help protect the province’s rice production.

Larry Pamugas, assistant provincial agriculturist, said that based on the OPA assessment the total recorded agricultural damage reached at P173,669,516.08.

Rice accounted for 95.03 percent of the reported crop losses, followed by high-value crops at 3.03 percent and corn at 1.94 percent. No damage to cassava had been recorded.

San Miguel posted the highest reported losses at P53.2 million, followed by Sagbayan with P19.3 million, Batuan with P16.1 million, Inabanga with P12.5 million and Bilar with P10.9 million.

Other affected areas included Tubigon, P9 million; Catigbian, P8 million; Buenavista, P7.9 million; Calape, P6.9 million; and Getafe, P3.5 million.

The OPA said the figure could still increase as assessment continues in local government units that have yet to complete their reports.

OPA Agricultural Technologist and Rice Program Focal Person Maricel Barloso said the province could face a significantly reduced rice harvest because dry conditions struck during the critical July-August period when rice plants were developing.

Only about 55 percent of Bohol’s potential rice-growing area was planted during the past wet cropping season, she said during a Kapihan sa PIA forum.

Of the province’s estimated 53,800 hectares of plantable rice land, only about 30,000 hectares were planted, with a significant portion later damaged by the heat and lack of water.

Barloso said the OPA could not yet determine whether even half of the planted area would eventually produce a harvest.

Some farmers were unable to plant in May despite the release of water from dams. Farmers in areas with insufficient water opted not to plant, while those who planted late saw their crops affected by the heat.

Still, about 2,600 hectares have already been harvested, while more than half of the planted area was still being harvested, Barloso said.

The OPA has urged farmers to prepare seeds, particularly upland rice varieties that can tolerate heat and require less water, as intermittent rains begin.

The cloud-seeding operation is expected to begin Oct. 9, following coordination between the provincial government, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The OPA also continues to consolidate damage reports from LGUs and coordinate with government agencies for possible assistance to affected farmers, including irrigation support and the promotion of drought-tolerant crops.

Meanwhile, authorities are bracing for the continuing effects of El Niño. All provinces in the country are expected to experience drought by March 2027 as the phenomenon intensifies.

The Philippines’ growth prospects for the rest of the year will hinge on how quickly government spending recovers, regional surveillance group Amro said, forecasting that the economy will lag the regional average this year and in 2027.

In its Regional Economic Outlook Update released Monday, the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office cut its forecast for Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year to 3.3 percent from 4.1 percent previously.

If realized, the 2026 expansion would fall short of the Marcos administration’s 3.5-percent to 4.5-percent target. Barring the pandemic-driven contraction in 2020, Amro’s new forecast would represent the weakest growth since 2009, when the economy expanded just 1.4 percent in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

The Philippines would also trail the 4.9-percent average growth Amro expects across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) this year. Among its regional peers, the economy would grow more slowly than Vietnam’s 8 percent, Indonesia’s 5.3 percent and Malaysia’s 5.1 percent, but faster than Thailand’s projected 2.4-percent expansion.

20207 revision

For 2027, Amro said the Philippine economy could grow 4.6 percent, down from its previous estimate of 5.5 percent. The revised projection would fall short of the government’s 5-percent to 6-percent target and lag the 4.8-percent average growth Amro expects for Asean next year.

Dong He, chief economist at Amro, said at a press conference that the combined effects of an oil shock stemming from the war and weak government spending following a sweeping crackdown on corruption continued to weigh on the economy.

Amro cut its 2026 inflation forecast for the Philippines to 5.6 percent from 5.7 percent before, though the revised outlook remained above the central bank’s 3-percent target. For next year, the group estimated price growth average at 4.6 percent, significantly higher than its previous estimate of 4.1 percent.

Beyond prices, He said the pace of recovery in government spending would be crucial to the overall economy’s growth trajectory in the near-term.

‘Remember, there was this flood control related issue, and that significantly slowed down public investment,’ he said. ‘The growth outlook is very dependent on how fast public investment and construction related activities can pick up.’

To contain inflation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point three times since April, bringing it to 5 percent. BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the latest increase, in August, was a ‘preemptive’ response to emerging risks from a severe El Niño episode and possible wage increases.

Intact fundamentals

On the growth outlook, Remolona said local economic fundamentals ‘appear to be intact over the medium term,’ adding that a recovery in government spending could help stimulate activity in the second half of the year. The economy grew just 2.6 percent in the first half.

‘It’s a challenging balancing act. But remember that high inflation does eat into the real purchasing power of households,’ Amro’s He said. ‘Without putting inflation under control, growth will be affected in any case.’

Amid the headwinds, Amro said the Philippines remains sensitive to shifts in global financial conditions, particularly through foreign portfolio flows. Local bond yields have risen amid the country’s heavy reliance on energy imports, higher inflation risks and expectations for tighter monetary policy, the group said.

Malacañang on Tuesday denied Vice President Sara Duterte’s remark that the Marcos administration was behind the allegations against her.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said the vice president should instead answer the accusations and present evidence in her defense.

Castro noted that Duterte appeared to be blaming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. because she could no longer answer the accusations.

‘Maybe that is what happens when you can no longer find a defense – you simply point fingers at somebody else,’ Castro told reporters in Pasay City.

Asked directly whether Malacañang was behind accusations meant to tarnish Duterte’s reputation, Castro answered: ‘There is nothing left to destroy as far as VP Sara is concerned. That is already on her.’

Castro said Duterte should address allegations involving funds supposedly received by her and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, rather than blame Marcos.

She maintained that the president did not benefit from any of the money being attributed to the couple.

‘Whatever stain comes from those funds or properties that supposedly enriched them, they should not pin it on the president because the president did not benefit, even a centavo, from the money they allegedly received,’ Castro said.

The press officer was reacting to Duterte, who earlier on Tuesday accused Marcos and Malacañang of being behind efforts to discredit her.

‘Who is behind the attacks against me? The administration. The Palace. BBM,’ Duterte had said at a separate briefing on Tuesday.

The exchange came as Duterte faced an impeachment trial before the Senate, where financial transactions involving her and Carpio had come under scrutiny.

Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura testified on Monday that a summary of council reports involving Duterte and Carpio showed 666 covered transactions and 55 suspicious transactions totaling P4.4 billion.

Buenaventura also testified on transactions involving Cale88 Foods Corp., a company partly owned by Carpio.

This includes P319.326 million in remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong.

The testimony did not establish that the money came from the Chinese government.

Castro said the senator-judges hearing Duterte’s impeachment case must evaluate the evidence presented before the court.

‘As of now, we can’t make any judgment. It’s up to the senator-judges how to evaluate the pieces of evidence shown and submitted during the impeachment trial,’ she said.

Still, Castro challenged Duterte to present evidence addressing the accusations against her, including questions over her use of confidential funds.

‘She appears to know how to explain herself. If she has evidence, she should show it,’ she repeated.

The Palace official questioned why Duterte had presented documentary annexes to support some of her recent claims but the vice president had not done the same to address questions surrounding her confidential funds and other financial allegations.

She also argued that Duterte could have answered the accusations against her earlier if she had evidence clearing her.

‘Maybe if she had explained the accusations against her, we would not have reached the impeachment court,’ Castro said.

The press officer also rejected attempts to link Marcos to the allegations against Duterte, saying the president did not benefit from the money supposedly received by Duterte and Carpio.

Castro said Marcos could not ‘sell the country to foreigners.’

The incident off Palawan on Sept. 18, 2026 is not new to us. The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel struck Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Datu Magat Salamat while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was conducting a fuel-subsidy mission for Filipino fishermen approximately 54 nautical miles from Palawan.

The collision reportedly damaged starboard railings, supports, and deck fixtures of BRP Datu Magat Salamat.

China has for some time been ramming, sideswiping, causing collisions, and doing dangerous maneuvering against Philippine vessels inside our own exclusive economic zone and in the main traditional fishing grounds of our fishermen.

In June 2019, a Chinese fishing vessel struck and sank a Philippine fishing boat, then abandoned its 22 crewmembers at sea. In April 2024, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) reported the BFAR vessel BRP Bankaw was rammed three times by the CCG and Chinese maritime-militia vessels during a humanitarian mission. In December 2024, CCG vessel 3302 intentionally sideswiped a BFAR vessel after water-cannon attacks, and in October 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard reported CCG 21559 water-cannoned and rammed the BFAR vessel’s stern, causing minor damage. These are some of the illegal, coercive and aggressive activities of China in the WPS.

The incident is reprehensible, and what is more infuriating is that some people who are blaming and questioning the humanitarian mission of our own vessel are Filipinos. Are they really our own people or would they prefer to have the citizenship of a foreign country?

BFAR is the agency in charge of ensuring the safety of and supporting our fishermen and nobody should question it when it wants to sail in our own exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The question is not about BFAR’s vessel but about what the CCG vessel is doing in our EEZ.

It is disheartening that in the face of China’s hostile activities in our backyard, we still allow some people to make up stories that show our adversary in a good light instead of showing who is really provoking trouble in illegal and unjust ways.

These are challenging times when we should unite as Filipinos in defending our seas, our rights and our future just as our ancestors fought for our nation and freedom through many incursions and occupations of the past. Shame on this generation that seems unwilling and unable to protect what is ours. We should use our voice to tell the truth of these happenings: let us not give our adversaries, foreign or domestic, any chance to divide real patriotic Filipinos.

The widow of slain Kidapawan radio journalist Eduardo ‘Ed’ Dizon lauded a Quezon City court for the guilty verdict rendered on Tuesday against two men accused of murdering him in 2019.

‘Justice is served. I thank all friends of Ed Dizon, thank you for your prayers, and to DXND people,’ Madonna Dizon, wife of the murdered journalist, said.

Dizon had worked for the Church-run DXND Radio Bida in Kidapawan City.

On Tuesday, October 6, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 228 found the accused mastermind Dante Encarnacion Tabusares and gunman Junell Jane Andagkit Poten guilty of murder.

Both were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or imprisonment of up to 40 years.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) also welcomed the court decision.

Two consumer groups are urging customs brokers to reconsider the ongoing ‘port holiday’ at Manila’s ports, which they warn could further disrupt the flow of essential goods and add to costs ultimately shouldered by consumers.

In separate statements, CitizenWatch and Konsyumer At Mamamayan (KM) said Filipino consumers would ultimately bear the brunt of the protest, which is scheduled to run for a week starting Oct. 5.

The Practicing Customs Brokers and Port Truckers Alliance of the Philippines Inc. (PCBAPI) had called for the voluntary ‘rest day’ protest over what it said was foreign shipping lines’ failure to address a mounting backlog of empty containers.

While acknowledging the port stakeholders’ concerns, the consumer groups warned that stopping work would only further strain the movement of essential goods.

‘A ‘port holiday’ could create another burden for ordinary Filipinos who are already having a hard time. It will only disrupt the movement of food, medicine, fuel, and other essential goods,’ CitizenWatch co-convenor Christopher Belmonte said.

‘What is needed is action-not a stoppage of the flow of goods,’ he added.

PCBAPI chair Reynaldo Soliman earlier told the Inquirer that foreign shipping lines can take two weeks to a month to accept empty containers for return after imported goods have been unloaded.

The resulting pileup has worsened congestion at Manila’s ports, according to Soliman, who claimed that only around 10 percent of cargo movements were proceeding on schedule while the rest faced backlogs.

Soliman said the congestion was already contributing to higher costs that are eventually passed on to consumers.

Instead of halting work, KM convenor Louie Montemar called for urgent talks among the government, shipping lines, port operators, container depots and truckers.

‘Port operations should continue while the government, shipping lines, port operators, container depots and truckers hold urgent talks. These should lead to concrete reforms, clear accountability and firm deadlines,’ Montemar said.

Soliman estimated that about 3,000 customs brokers would participate in the voluntary protest.

But port stakeholders were divided over the planned stoppage. The Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO), which represents roughly 60 percent of port-based truckers, has said it would not participate.

A human rights advocate slammed the defense panel in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, branding its warnings of criminal liability an ‘absurd, desperate move’ and an outright ‘assault on press freedom.’

Carlos Conde, former senior researcher at Human Rights Watch – Asia Division and former secretary general of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), pointed out that while it might be too early to detect a widespread chilling effect, he would not be surprised if the defense’s persistence has already made some members of the press cautious.

He expressed surprise that Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero allowed such warnings to be aired in the first place, pointing out that the tribunal had already ruled the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) documents were permissible in the hearing.

‘These documents are being trotted out openly in an impeachment court,’ Conde told the Inquirer. ‘I don’t think journalists should find it hard to justify reporting on these documents,’ he added.

The controversy erupted during a tense confrontation inside the impeachment court on Monday, where defense attorney Mark Vinluan aggressively grilled a witness over the penal provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), demanding answers regarding a potential ‘breach of information security and confidentiality.’

Pressing the legal risks on the witness stand, the defense highlighted that violations carry penalties of three to eight years’ imprisonment, along with perpetual disqualification from public office.

The confrontational tactic drew swift censure from Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo, who intervened to call out the defense teams’ ‘intimidation’ and ‘veiled threats.’

Rather than backing down, Conde urged newsrooms to use such an incident as an opportunity to ‘push the envelope’ and report on the documents fairly, while remaining mindful of the accused’s right to due process.

‘What the defense is doing is…a really desperate move to try to prevent the public in general from exposing these alleged transactions,’ Conde said.

‘It is up to the media now to really reject that by being persistent in reporting what the documents say,’ he added.

During the trial, the witness repeatedly said he could not respond to questions about AMLC records outside the court’s subpoena.