In a Decision rendered by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Parañaque City, Branch 295, promulgated on 29 April 2022, the court convicted Wang Li Na, a Chinese national, of money laundering for purchasing a condominium unit in Marina Bay Homes, Parañaque City, using funds generated through her and her husband’s illegal drug trafficking activity.

     The said decision is the first time in the Philippines where a court ordered the forfeiture of a property in a criminal case pursuant to the Rule on Criminal Forfeiture in Money Laundering Cases (A.M. No. 21-03-13-SC).

     In convicting Wang Li Na of money laundering, the RTC relied on the prosecution's evidence that the property located at Marina Bay Homes was in the name of the accused and purchased for Php7 million by virtue of a deed of absolute sale.

     The RTC found Wang Li Na guilty and sentenced her to suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twelve (12) years, ten (10) months and one (1) day, as minimum to fourteen (14) years, as maximum, and to pay a fine of Php10 million. As accessory penalty, the court ordered the criminal forfeiture of the 278-square meter property located at Marina Bay Homes in favor of the Philippine Government pursuant to A.M. No. 21-03-13-SC.

     Wang Li Na and her husband Li Lan Yan, a.k.a. Jackson Dy, were previously convicted on 29 April 2009 by the RTC-Parañaque City, Branch 274, for illegal possession of 350.67 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu). The said illegal drugs were recovered by the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (PNP-AIDSOTF) by virtue of a search warrant implemented at a house in the name of the convicted spouses in Marina Bay Homes, Parañaque City.

     Li Lan Yan and his cohorts are also facing criminal charges before the RTC-Trece Martires City for illegal manufacture of dangerous drugs in a clandestine shabu laboratory located in Tanza, Cavite. The RTC-Trece Martires City, in a decision dated 4 November 2016, ordered the forfeiture of the shabu laboratory and its premises in favor of the Philippine Government in a separate civil forfeiture case.

     The RTC’s judgment against Wang Li Na serves as a warning to all would-be money launderers that the properties that they acquire through crimes may be forfeited by the Philippine Government.

     The judgment of conviction is presently on appeal before the Court of Appeals.

Posted: 23 June 2023