By TRISHA MACAS, GMA News Published February 17, 2017 8:33pm
Updated February 17, 2017 9:26pm
President Rodrigo Duterte said he is ordering the Anti-Money Laundering Council and other agencies to provide information about his financial status, amid allegations of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that the chief executive had billions of pesos worth of transactions in his bank accounts.
Duterte made this pronouncement in a speech on Friday in Baguio City before the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1967, which has adopted him as a member.
"And there will be never be a time that I would shame the class. Just to make clear, it is a matter of principle also and honor, I said during the campaign that if any of my family or ako mismo would be involved in corruption in government, you can be sure you have my word I will resign immediately," he said during the private dinner.
"Kaya gusto ko lang sabihin sa inyo because it’s politics again. It’s a rehash, of what they…it’s pure garbage, but you know I’m president. I’ve ordered AMLC and everybody to give information sa ano ang what’s my worth in this, in terms of pesos in this planet. So hindi ko kayo hiyain," he added.
"??I am greatly proud to [be part of] Class of 1967. And there will be never be a time that I would shame the class," he said.
Trillanes on Thursday revived the issue of the supposed billions of pesos going through Duterte's accounts, while also linkingthe President's families to the issue.
READ: Trillanes claims Duterte’s campaign donor gave millions in deposits to Honeylet, kids
Duterte, in turn, denied the allegations, saying he would resign if Trillanes were able to prove his claims.
"If Trillanes can prove his allegation that I have amassed P2 billion illegally or if that bank account under my name has a total deposit at one time or even just half a billion, I will resign as President immediately," he said in a pre-recorded video released by Malacañang late Thursday night.
He also called Trillanes "ignorant" for dragging his family into the issue.
READ: Duterte twits 'ignorant' Trillanes: Honeylet a successful businesswoman, Sara a lawyer
Trillanes, meanwhile, on Friday said Duterte should refrain from diverting the issue by throwing insults at him, and instead just release his bank records.
"President Duterte, marami ka pang sinasabi, kung talagang wala kang itinatagong nakaw na yaman, tanggapin mo na ang hamon ko at buksan mo na ung transaction history ng bank accounts mo at kung mali ako, magreresign agad ako bilang senador," Trillanes said in a statement.
No allowances
Duterte also said that he never signed vouchers for his allowances, adding he only receives his salary as President.
"Walang anak ko o ako mismo, sa totoo lang, I have not signed any voucher even for myself. I only receive a salary and that’s it. I do not accept my allowances. Wala po ako... I avoided it and it will be so until the end of my term," he said.
He reiterated his promise that he would not allow corruption under his administration.
"But then I would hit hard against corruption. So I must set the example. Because if I don’t, I cannot demand obedience," he said.
"You know how people have endured corruption all throughout the years? I would not like to be a person of, you know, into the blame game. But at least during my time, there will be a respite for the people and corruption will really be controlled or stopped. Iyan ang masiguro ninyo," he added.
AMLC
In accordance to Republic Act No. 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 (AMLA), AMLC is tasked to protect the integrity and confidentiality of bank accounts. It is also tasked to ensure that the Philippines will not be used as a money laundering site for the proceeds of any unlawful activity.
In November 2016, Duterte warned AMLC and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to cooperate with Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II in collating documents on the drug cases they were building at that time.
He even pointed out that if it was true that he has billions in his bank accounts, AMLC should have known about it.
"I was just curious. If I had that money, why did you not initiate an investigation? For really I have none," Duterte said. —JST/KBK, GMA News
- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/600032/news/nation/duterte-says-he-ordered-amlc-to-provide-his-financial-information#sthash.3OdIhDf0.dpuf
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