Image from Rody Duterte’s Facebook account- Duterte gives SPA to his lawyer to open his account at the BPI – Julia Vargas branch
- Sal Panelo said the mayor does not have P211 million in his bank account as alleged by Senator Trillanes
- Trillanes vowed to resign as senator if his allegation is proven false
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer belied Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s claim that the mayor had P211 million in his account at the BPI – Julia Vargas branch in 2014.
The senator said Duterte did not declare the amount on his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth as required by law. He called the mayor, who is running for president on anti-corruption, anti-crime and anti-illegal drugs platform, a “fraud.”
Trillanes dared Duterte to prove him wrong. He even said he will resign as senator and withdraw from the vice presidential race if his allegation is proven false.
Mayor Duterte has given his lawyer, Atty. Sal Panelo, the authority to open his bank account at the bank in question to disprove Senator Trillanes’ allegations.
Atty. Panelo said he addressed the BPI – Julia Vargas branch to issue the necessary documents.
“Based on the records of the bank, walang P211 million sa kanyang deposit mula pa noong ito’y binuksan niya at hanggang ngayon,” he said.
[There is no P211 million in his deposit since he opened the account up to the present]
A GMA News Online article dated May 2, 2016 mentioned that Panelo was authorized by Duterte to open his bank account and release a bank certification that the presidential hopeful never amassed P211 million.
Duterte’s lawyer dared the senator to issue a sworn statement if he believes his evidence against Duterte is true.
“He (Trillanes) didn’t want to sign a sworn statement because he could be sued,” Panelo said.
He added: “There’s a law that says a bank cannot reveal any information regarding the deposits of a client. The law also prohibits bank employees from issuing deposit information as they can be sued. Mayor Duterte does not have that kind of money or else he will not authorize anybody to open his bank account.”
Asked about the two other bank accounts exposed by the senator, Panelo said the Special power of attorney given to him was for the BPI – Julia Vargas branch only.
“Let’s focus on this one first. All that he (Trillanes) said were lies. You lie on one, you lie on all,” he said.
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