President willing to open bank records to PACC

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he was willing to have his bank records scrutinized by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) even as he expressed confidence that the latter would find nothing irregular about his finances.

Speaking at the oathtaking of PACC officials in Malacañang, the President said that his bank records remained off-limits to his enemies, lest they use the records for a fishing expedition.

But Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV insisted on Wednesday that Mr. Duterte should open his bank records before the public.

“For me, nothing short of a signing a waiver will satisfy the public. That must be done in the spirit of transparency. He should lead the way,” Trillanes said.

Rude to oligarchs

Mr. Duterte said he could curse and be rude to “oligarchs” because he was not involved in corruption.

He said PACC members, using their connections with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, could even check his accounts.

“What would you find against me? You want to know my bank accounts? I’ll give it to you right now,” he said.

His funds, which he said amounted to about P40 million, included a portion of his inheritance from his parents.

But he will not give his critics access to his bank records.

‘Fishing expedition’

“If you want evidence, do not get it from my mouth… Are you a fool? Why would I do that for you? You go to hell. But do not task me to do a thing so you could … go into a fishing expedition,” he said.

Mr. Duterte had earlier lashed out at the Office of the Ombudsman after it began an inquiry into the alleged unexplained wealth of his family.

The Ombudsman’s inquiry stemmed from Trillanes’ allegations that the President had hidden wealth, including P200 million in a bank account.

The Ombudsman terminated its inquiry after the Anti-Money Laundering Council refused to cooperate. —REPORTS FROM LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑ0