Duterte admits existence of BPI accounts

Presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte. EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER PHOTO

BALANGA CITY, Bataan— Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday confirmed that he has several bank accounts at the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), one of which was with the Julia Vargas Avenue branch in Ortigas.

Speaking to reporters here, Duterte said he has a BPI account on the said branch but was quick to say that it did not contain millions contrary to the claims of Trillanes that it has over P200 million.

“Meron ako sa BPI. Meron ako sa BPI. Hindi ganun kalaki. Thousands lang. It could not go beyond even..’Yung isa 17 (thousand) ‘yung isa below 50 (thousand.),” he told reporters.

(I have accounts at BPI. But it does not contain that much money. Just thousands. It could not go beyond that. One contains P17,000, the other has P50,000.)

The tough-talking mayor dared Trillanes to execute an affidavit detailing where and how he obtained bank records showing his alleged millions in the deposit.

READ: Trillanes: Duterte didn’t declare P211M in SALN | Duterte mulls raps vs Trillanes over allegations on SALN

“Execute an affidavit. Where did you get it? When, how and for what purpose?” Duterte said, adding that he would open the accounts if Trillanes agrees to his challenge.

He even challenged Trillanes to file a case against him.

“Let’s make it legal. File a case,” he said.

He maintained Trillanes’ accusations that he has millions in bank were “fabricated.”

“Sabi ko that is fabricated. Meron ako, I’ll give you one account (with) 17 thousand (I already said it’s fabricated. I have one, I’ll give you one account which has P17,000),” he said.

“Malaki ‘yan noon. Naubos na sa gastos. Meron akong bank (account). ‘Di abot ng milliion I will assure you. Kailan ko pa kayo binola (It used to be big, but I spent it already. I have a bank account, but it does not contain a million. When did I ever fool you?),” he added.

He said Trillanes was a “guy with misplaced idealism.”

“You make it (the challenge) properly. I will not play into your hands. Who is he to demand a waiver?” he said. IDL

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