PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday that he will open his bank account at Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) that allegedly contained the P211 million undeclared wealth.
But on one condition: that Senator Antonio Trillanes, his accuser, signs an affidavit and files a case against him.
This developed as the BPI issued a statement that there has been no breach in confidentiality, virtually hinting that Trillanes’ documents are fake.
In a press conference at the Golden Bay Restaurant in Pasay City Friday, Duterte said dared Trillanes to present himself before officials of the BPI Julia Vargas branch on Monday, May 2.
It was also at Golden Bay when the team of municipal mayors led by Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla met with the mayor to formally pledge their support to him.
Duterte will be represented by his legal counsel, Lawyer Salvador Panelo, as Duterte’s scheduled rally on Monday is in Zamboanga City.
The mayor also asked the media to witness the face-off between Trillanes and Panelo.
Meanwhile, in his rally in Daet, Camarines Sur on Friday, Duterte showed bank statements from his BPI Julia Vargas account that showed that from December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016, it only contained P17,666.98; while a separate bank statement from February 29, 2016 to April 28, 2016, it contained P27,024.09 including P500 peso deposits made by nine different people on April 28, 2016.
This was tweeted by ABC-5 “Pumunta man kaya si Trillanes, at least, I can tell him what’s inside my account,” Duterte said. “Bahala na sila ni Sal(vador) Panelo mag-argue dyan.”
He said the Julia Vargas BPI account is indeed existing — with a "little lesser than" P211 million content.
He told the media that the deposits are real, but was quick to say that “ang sinabi ko ay wala akong deposito na ganoon kalaki. I might have said it in a different way, but I didn’t say that I have deposits that big."
Commenting on the claim that a series of transfers were made during his birthday, Duterte said, “Ibig sabihin niyan, marami akong kaibigan na mayaman.”
Pressed further to comment on the source of the money, he said “bigay (gift).” “Alangan hinold-up ko,” he added.
Duterte said he expects Trillanes to be at the BPI branch on Monday.
“Doon siya (Trillanes) magpunta,” said Duterte. “Gusto ko nga mag-execute siya ng affidavit, para legal. Put them in black and white… para totohanan talaga. Hindi lang tsismis.”
If Trillanes will sign an affidavit, Duterte vowed to open his account. “Kaya pumunta siya doon. Kailangan dala nya ang affidavit,” the mayor said.
Asked why the money was not indicated in his statement of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN), he said he has already spent the money. “Wala na. Nagastos ko na. Nag-happy-happy ako,” he said in jest.
Trillanes said the money was transferred to Duterte’s bank account in 2014, in time for his birthday.
“Marami pala akong kaibigan,” Duterte said when pressed for comments. He said the money was not ill gotten.
In a statement issued by BPI on Friday with regards “Client Confidentiality”, it said: “Allegations of breach of client confidentiality have recently been leveled at the Bank of the Philippine Islands. Our internal investigation reveals that there has been no such breach. BPI continues to have one of the most highly regarded data protection practices in the industry, and we are committed to protecting client information and preserving the trust bestowed on us by our clients all these years.”
Meanwhile, the mayor welcomed the support of Cavite Governor Remulla, who as late as the second presidential debate was still the spokesperson of Vice President and presidential candidate Jejomar Binay. Remulla was with 23 of his mayors. (Sun.Star Davao)