Lawyer to open record of Duterte's BPI account on Monday

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has given his lawyer, Salvador Panelo, the go-signal to open the record of his bank account that is being questioned by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday, May 2.

"At least I can tell you na hindi talaga P200 million. Bahala na sila ni Sal Panelo mag-argue diyan," Duterte told reporters on Friday.

Duterte, a front runner in the latest Pulse Asia presidential survey, has been accused by Trillanes of having hidden wealth amounting to P211 million stashed at the BPI branch in Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City.

On Thursday, Trillanes, who is running for vice president and is a supporter of Duterte's closest rival, Sen. Grace Poe, challenged Duterte to meet him on May 2 at 11 a.m. at the BPI Julia Vargas branch and sign a waiver on his right to bank secrecy.

On Friday, Duterte said he was willing to take Trillanes up on his challenge, but only if the senator signs an affidavit which explains how he was able to learn of the account.

"Pumunta nga siya doon, dala-dala ang affidavit," he said.

Asked if he would also be at the BPI Julia Vargas on Monday morning, Duterte said he would not be able to make it as he would be in Davao City.

Although he cannot say how much exactly is in his account, Duterte said it was "less than P211 million."

As to why the account was not included in his SALN, Duterte explained, "Wala na. Ginastos ko na. Naghappy-happy ako... Sabi ni Panelo, I should not be talking kasi I might fall into a deep sh-t."

In a statement Friday, Trillanes said the opening of the accounts "should not be limited to the current account balance alone."

"It should also include the transaction history of the past nine years," he said. "This is important because, if Duterte has already withdrawn the money before Monday, then the total amount of transactions would not be reflected on the current account balace." — KBK/DVM, GMA News