MANILA, Philippines – Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and three more companies have expressed full support to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), which has been dragged into the $81 million money laundering scandal.
SMC, CLSA Exchange Capital Corp., All Asian Countertrade Inc. and Liwayway Group sent separate letters to RCBC chair Helen Yuchengco-Dee.
SMC treasurer and chief financial officer Ferdinand Constantino said the diversified conglomerate has a long-standing partnership with RCBC.
“We are confident that with the stable foundation with which RCBC was built on, and with the solid shareholders and strong leadership of its board of directors, the issue that the bank is now facing will make them even stronger and more committed to provide excellent service to clients such as the San Miguel group,” Constantino said.
Likewise, CLSA through chairman and chief executive officer Luis Juan Virata also expressed the same support to RCBC.
“In my dealings with RCBC, I have been witness to the professionalism, stringent moral fiber and strict adherence to work ethics of this institution led by its chairperson Helen Dee and its president Lorenzo Tan. My trust and confidence in Helen, Lorenzo and the whole RCBC team is as strong as ever, and the strength of this institution will weather this unfortunate circumstance. I am fully behind RCBC,” Virata said.
Carlos Chan of the Liwayway Group, on the other hand, assured RCBC of the company’s continued faith and support.
“The relationship between RCBC and the Liwayway Group dates back to June 2005 and in that more than a decade, we have been very satisfied with the service of the bank,” Chan said.
Chan said the company is confident that RCBC would be able to withstand the controversy and take necessary actions against those accountable from within its ranks.
All Asian president Michael Escaler also has reassured the company’s unwavering belief and trust in RCBC. “With our partnership, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Escaler said.
Earlier, other big names in the business community like Andrew Tan of Megaworld Corp., Manuel Villar Jr. of Vista Land, Edgar Sia of Double Dragon and Liberato Laus of Laus Group of Companies also vouched for RCBC’s integrity being long-time clients of the bank.