Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment trial features LandBank testimonies on P125 million cash withdrawal

During the Senate impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, former Land Bank of the Philippines branch managers Violeta Constantino and Nenita Camposano testified that the Office of the Vice President withdrew P125 million in cash on 20 December 2022 and placed the funds in four large gym bags. Their statements matched the earlier affidavit of former aide Ramil Madriaga, who alleged that Duterte instructed the transport of the money, reinforcing the prosecution’s claim of irregular fund use.

Both bank officials described the transaction as “unusual” – the first time in their decades‑long careers they oversaw the conversion of such large checks into cash – but said it did not automatically meet the Anti‑Money Laundering Council’s definition of a suspicious transaction. They noted that while covered transaction reports were filed, no suspicious transaction report was required because the circumstances did not satisfy the council’s criteria for suspicion.