Duterte claims Ramon Ang gave him money during campaign

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday claimed that business tycoon Ramon Ang had given him money during his campaign, even though  the San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer does not appear on his official donors' list submitted to the Commission on Elections.

Duterte made this claim at Malacañang's Christmas party, where Ang was one of the guests.

"You know very well that nobody really campaigned for me, or at least some... And a few people who believed in me. Si Ramon Ang gave me some money. Hindi malaki. Hindi rin maliit. But enough to finance one trip here, one trip there," Duterte said.

Ang was one of the business leaders that committed to help the Duterte administration spur economic development in Sulu, to achieve peace in Mindanao.
 

Business tycoon Ramon S. Ang was also at the Malacañang Christmas party. ????: PPD pic.twitter.com/vtp3ZDub37

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) December 21, 2016

"Ramon, we became fast friends because alam mo ang taong may ano eh... He has this disarming attitude of humility. Talagang madidisarm ka. Kaya we became fast friends," Duterte said.

"I would be happy if you share, if you break bread with me during our Christmas party," he added.

Duterte's Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) made no mention of the business tycoon.

His SOCE did list a Felix Ang contributing P10 million to his campaign.

GMA News Online is still trying to get Ramon Ang's comment as of posting time.

Imee's contribution, denial

In October, Duterte also said Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos helped finance his campaign for Malacañang last May. Marcos is also not in Duterte's SOCE.

She has since denied Duterte's remark.

"Wala namang katotohanan 'yan. Palabiro lang ang Presidente Duterte, pinapalundag niya tayong lahat, pati ako, napalundag eh," Marcos told reporters then.

She said her participation in Duterte's campaign was to pitch for votes in the so-called "Solid North" provinces in the Ilocos region, where the Marcoses continue to wield power and command adulation.

The governor's brother, defeated vice presidential bet and former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was the running mate of the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who placed fifth in her third bid for the presidency.

"Sinuportahan natin siya (Duterte) at walang kapalit," Marcos said. —NB/JST, GMA News