MANILA, Philippines- Magpapatuloy ang panukalang pagsasanib-pwersa ng Land Bank of the Philippines at Development Bank of the Philippines sa kabila ng nakabinbing imbestigasyon ng Senado sa sinasabing ‘risks’ ng merger.
“An investigation does not mean the merger will not push through. As I said, this has the imprimatur of the President,” ayon kay Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno.
Kamakailan, naghain si Senador Sherwin Gatchalian ng panukalang Senate Resolution 697, naglalayong idetermina ang “propriety, viability, compliance, and potential effects that the merger might bring to the stability of the country’s banking industry and the economy.”
Naghain din si Senador Risa Hontiveros ng kaparehong resolusyon, ipinahayag ang kanyang concerns o alalahanin sa surviving entity, ang Landbank, ay “too big to fail.”
“Any senator can file a resolution, asking for investigation,” ayon kay Diokno.
Sa kabila ng alalahanin na inihayag ng senador na ang target na full completion ng merger process—”the middle of next year—still stands.”
“Dapat by next year accomplished na,” aniya pa rin.
Ang panukalang sanib-pwersa ng Landbank at DBP ay nakatanggap ng go-signal ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noong Marso.
Sinabi ni Diokno na ang pagsasanib-pwersa ng Landbank at DBP ay makapagpapaalis sa “redundancy and inefficiency” sa operasyon.
“The proposed merger will create the largest banking institution in the Philippines with an estimated asset size of about P4.18 trillion, a deposit base amounting to P3.59 trillion, and a capital of P288 billion based on figures as of December 31, 2022,” ayon sa ulat.
“The merger is expected to generate savings estimated at P5.3 billion a year or at least P20 billion in the next four years,” ayon pa rin sa ulat. Kris Jose
