https://thenationweek.com/2026/01/21/lawmakers-implicated-in-money-laundering-scheme-attempt-to-silence-website-news/

MANILA, Philippines – Powerful figures implicated in a multi-billion-peso money laundering probe are allegedly attempting to silence a business news website that exposed details of their alleged scheme.

Three individuals, including two sitting members of the House of Representatives, have filed petitions with the Court of Appeals (CA) seeking a gag order against Bilyonaryo.com, a move critics describe as a blatant attempt to suppress unfavorable media coverage and obstruct public scrutiny of potential corruption.

At the center of the controversy are Benguet Reps. Eric Yap of ACT-CIS and Edvic Yap, their siblings Edgar and Victoria Yap, and their company, Earth Yard Corp.

They are joined in the legal action by CWS Rep. Edwin Gardiola, who faces separate allegations of profiting from questionable infrastructure projects awarded to companies purportedly linked to him and his family.

The lawmakers claim Bilyonaryo.com violated stringent confidentiality provisions enshrined in the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) by publishing a series of exclusive reports detailing the ongoing investigation into their finances.

These reports, they claim, disclosed specific and non-public details of the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s (AMLC) probe, including information on frozen bank accounts, insurance policies, and a fleet of aircraft allegedly acquired through illicit means.

The legal challenge stems from an order issued by the CA’s 10th Division on Dec. 4, 2025, freezing 280 bank accounts, 22 insurance policies, and eight aircraft, including a P550-million Cessna jet, purportedly linked to the Yap brothers.

The order was the direct result of an AMLC investigation into the allegedly anomalous projects funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways, which sources within the agency have described as “ghost projects.”

Funds were allegedly disbursed for work that was not completed, the lawmakers claim.

Petitioners assert that the AMLA mandates strict secrecy regarding all proceedings and information gathered by the AMLC.

They further cite Supreme Court rules stipulating that even the existence of a freeze order petition must be kept confidential to prevent suspects from dissipating assets before seizure.

“Bilyonaryo.com has published a series of articles reporting on specific and non-public details of the AMLC investigations,” the lawmakers’ counsel points out.

“These disclosures constitute a direct violation of the confidentiality mandate and create trial by publicity, potentially jeopardizing the ongoing investigation.”

Specifically, the lawmakers cited articles published between Dec. 11 and 27, 2025, which detailed a “P4.76-billion money trail” and identified joint account partners.

Their motion highlights that Bilyonaryo.com is not a party to the case and should not have access to these sensitive documents, raising serious concerns about a potential leak from within the regulatory or judicial system.

The lawmakers are demanding that the news outlet reveal its sources.

Adding fuel to the fire are persistent allegations surrounding Silverwolves Construction Corp., a company that reportedly received billions of pesos in government contracts under questionable circumstances.

While Eric Yap claims to have divested from the company years ago, authorities allege he remains its “beneficial owner,” effectively controlling the company’s operations and profits.

The Office of the Ombudsman had previously identified Yap as a “person of interest” in a broader probe into alleged “ghost” flood control projects, raising suspicions that the DPWH contracts were awarded as kickbacks for political favors.

Beyond seeking a gag order, the motion requests the appellate court to compel Bilyonaryo.com to disclose how it obtained the confidential records and to justify why it should not face sanctions for publishing them.

This demand is viewed by many as an attempt to intimidate journalists and silence whistleblowers who might be willing to come forward with further information.