President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has formally asked the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies to investigate the alleged unexplained wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte and daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Trillanes’ request for inquiry was contained in Senate Resolution No. 602 filed Monday morning.
In the resolution, the opposition senator asked the committee, chaired by Senator Francis Escudero, to look into possible violations of Republic Act No. 9160 also known as the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) “by no less than” the President and his daughter.
Trillanes cited the Vera Files report about the father and son’s alleged failure to “fully disclose” in their respective SALNs (statement of assets, liabilities and net worth) for the past years alleged money exceeding P100 million in joint deposits and investments under the Bank of the Philippine Islands.
“As the highest-ranking official of the land, President Rodrigo Duterte and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as the elected City Mayor of Davao City are classified by the AMLA as ‘politically exposed persons’ under the law and its implementing regulations,” Trillanes said in his resolution.
The senator also noted in the resolution Duterte’s repeated statements in the media that he is open for any investigation by Congress on the allegations raised against his wealth.
The Senate investigation, Trillanes said, was a “direct response” to Duterte’s challenge for Congress to investigate his bank records.
Asked in a text message if he thinks his initiative would prosper in the Senate, he said: “We’ll see. It just needs to be referred to the committee and for the chairman to act on it. Consensus among Senators is not needed.” /kga
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