TACLOBAN CITY – Jasmin “Minet” Jerusalem, executive director of the Leyte Center for Development Inc. (LCDE), pleaded not guilty on July 14 to three counts of financing terrorism during her arraignment before the Regional Trial Court Branch 45 in Tacloban City.
Jerusalem, 65, described the charges as “unjust and arbitrary,” saying she is being punished for decades of humanitarian work.
LCDE, a non-government organization founded in 1988, has assisted nearly 900,000 people in Leyte and Samar through relief, livelihood, and medical programs.
“For what, for helping poor people?” she asked, citing how the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) froze LCDE’s bank accounts—including those of her staff, family, and local suppliers—more than a year ago. “We’re being killed slowly.”
She lamented seeing her name in court documents listed as “Jasmin A. Jerusalem vs. People of the Philippines,” adding: “I’ve never done anything wrong. My only crime is helping those in need.”
Jerusalem hopes the case will eventually be dismissed and serve as a lesson to prevent similar actions against other humanitarian workers.
Her lawyer, Alberto Hidalgo, sought a two-month suspension of proceedings to file a petition for certiorari.
The court proceeded with the arraignment but suspended further hearings until after the pre-trial resumes on September 15, 2025.
(JAZMIN BONIFACIO)
