AMLA
AMLA
MONEY LAUNDERING
A. CONCEPT
Generally, it is a process whereby proceeds of unlawful activities are transacted to make it appear
that the money came from legitimate sources.
Money laundering is committed by any person who, knowing that any monetary instrument or
property represents, involves, or relates to the proceeds of any unlawful activity:
1. Transacting or attempting to transact money laundering
a) Transacts said monetary instrument or property;
b) Converts, transfers, disposes of, moves, acquires, possesses or uses said monetary
instrument or property;
c) Conceals or disguises the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement or
ownership of or rights with respect to said monetary instrument or property;
d) Attempts or conspires to commit money laundering offenses referred to in paragraphs
(a), (b) or (c) above.
2. Facilitating money laundering
a) Aids, abets, assists in or counsels the commission of the money laundering offenses
referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above; and
b) Performs or fails to perform any act as a result of which he facilitates the offense of
money laundering referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above.
3. Failure to report
a) Money laundering is also committed by any covered person who, knowing that a
covered or suspicious transaction is required under this Act to be reported to the Anti-
Money Laundering Council (AMLC), fails to do so.
The AMLC Philippines is the government agency tasked to implement the provisions of Republic
Act No. 9160, also known as the “Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001” (AMLA), as amended, and
Republic Act No. 10168, also known as the “Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act
of 2012” (TFPSA). It is the Philippines’ central anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing
(AML/CTF) authority, and financial intelligence unit (FIU).
B. SPECIAL POWERS
1. Inquiry Into/Examination of Bank Deposits/Investments
2. Freeze of Dirty Money/Property
3. Forfeiture of Dirty Money/Property
A. STATE POLICIES
1. To ensure that the Philippines shall not be used as a money laundering site for the proceeds
of any unlawful activity.
2. To extend cooperation in transnational investigations and prosecutions of persons involved
in money laundering activities wherever committed.
3. To protect and preserve the integrity and confidentiality of bank accounts.
C. COMPOSITION OF AMLC
The AMLC is composes of:
1. The Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as Chairman
2. The Commissioner of the Insurance Commission (IC) as member
3. The Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Comission (SEC) as member It
D. PROCEEDS
It refers to an amount derived or realized from an unlawful activity.
Includes:
- all material results, profits, effects and any amount realized from any unlawful activity;
- all monetary, financial or economic means, devices, documents, papers or things used in or
having relation to any unlawful activity;
-all moneys, expenditures payments, disbursements, costs, outlays, charges, accounts, refunds
and other similar items for the financing, operations, and maintenance of any unlawful activity.
E. TRANSACTION
refers to any act establishing any right or obligation or giving rise to any contractual or legal
relationship between the parties thereto.
includes any movement of funds by any means with a covered institution.
F. REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS
a. Covered transaction is a transaction in cash or other equivalent monetary instrument
involving a total amount in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00) within
one (1) banking day.
b. Suspicious transaction is a transaction with a covered institution, regardless of the amount
involved, where any of the following circumstances exist(s):
There is no underlying legal or trade obligation, purpose or economic justification;
The client is not properly identified;
The amount involved is not commensurate with the business or financial capacity of the
client;
Taking into account all known circumstances, it may be perceived that the client’s
transaction is structured in order to avoid being the subject of reporting requirements
under the AMLA, as amended;
Any circumstances relating to the transaction which is observed to deviate from the
profile of the client and/or client’s past transactions with the covered institution person;
The transaction is in any way related to an unlawful activity or any money laundering
activity or offense under the AMLA, as amended, that it about to be, is being or has been
committed; or
Any transaction that is similar, or analogous or identical to any of the foregoing.
G. UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED UNDER ALMA (AS AMENDED)
‘Unlawful activity’ refers to any act or omission or series or combination thereof involving or
having direct relation to the following:
1. Kidnapping for ransom
2. Drug Trafficking and other violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
3. Graft and Corruption under R.A. No. 3019, as amended
4. Plunder (R.A. No. 7080 as amended)
5. Robbery and extortion
6. Jueteng and Masiao (PD 1602)
7. Piracy on the high seas (RPC) and in inland waters (PD 532)
8. Qualified Theft under Art. 310, RPC
9. Swindling under Art. 315, RPC
10. Smuggling under RA 455 & 1937
11. Violations of the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000
12. Hijacking, destructive arson and murder, including those perpetrated by terrorists
against non-combatant persons and similar targets
13. Fraudulent practices and other violations under the Securities Regulation Code of 2000
(RA 8799)
14. Felonies or offenses of a similar nature that are punishable under the penal laws of
other countries
15. Terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism
16. Financing of terrorism, attempt of conspiracy to commit terrorism financing, accomplice
to terrorism financing offense, accessory to terrorism financing offense
17. Bribery and corruption of public officers
18. Frauds and illegal exaction and transactions
19. Malversation of public funds and property
20. Forgeries and counterfeiting
21. Violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003
22. Violations of the Revised Forestry Code
23. Violations of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998
24. Violations of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995
25. Violations of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act
26. Violations of the National Caves and Cave Resources Management Protection Act
27. Violations of the Anti-Carnapping Act
28. Violations of the Decree Codifying the laws on illegal/unlawful possession, manufacture,
dealing in, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition or explosives
29. Violations of the Anti-Fencing Law
30. Violations of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended
OFFENDER PENALTIES
Money Launderer 7 to 14 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than
P3,000,000 but not more that twice the value of the
monetary instrument (MI)/property (P)
The person who assists the Money 4 to 7 years imprisonment and a fine of P1,500,000 to
Launderer P3,000,000
Those required to report covered & 6 months to 4 years imprisonment or P100,000 to
suspicious transaction P500,000 fine, or both
I. OTHER OFFENSES PUNISHABLE UNDER THE AMLA, AS AMENDED
OFFENDER PENALTIES
Knowing participating in the 4 to 7 years imprisonment and a fine corresponding to
commission of ML not more that 200% of the value of the ML/P
Failure to keep records 6 months to 1 year imprisonment or P100,000 to P500,000
fine
Malicious Reporting 6 months to 4 years imprisonment or P100,000 to
P500,000 fine; provided that the offender is not entitled to
the benefits of the Probation Law
Breach of Confidentiality 3 to 8 years imprisonment or P500,000 to P1,000,000
fine
Administrative Offenses P100,000 to P500,000 on officers and employees of
covered institution who violates the provisions of AMLA,
as amended, the IRRs and orders and resolutions issued
What are the minimum information that should be obtained when establishing business
relationship with a potential customers?
1. Complete name including middle/maiden name;
NOTE: Middle name of client must be required except on those clients whose middle name is
not part of their legal name.
2. Complete present address;
3. Complete permanent address (P.O. Box is not sufficient);
4. Nature of work, name of employer or nature of self-employment/business;
5. Date and place of birth;
6. Nationality;
7. Source of funds;
8. Contact number or information (business/residential tel. No., fax no., email-address);
9. Tax Identification Number (TIN) and Social Security System or Government Service and
Insurance System number, if any;
10. Specimen signature; and
11. Name, present address, date and place of birth, nationality, nature of work and source of
funds of beneficial owner, whenever applicable.