Trillanes ‘obsessed’ with Duterte’s ‘bank accounts’ issue, says Pimentel

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is too “obsessed” with President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged bank accounts that he keeps on reviving the issue, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Monday.

“Ewan ko kung nanginginig ang boses ko ngayon o ninenerbyos ako, pero hindi yata. Tama naman reaction niya, because he’s also obsessed with the issue. Malay mo 'pag hindi pag-usapan 'yung issue, manginig din kamay niya,” Pimentel told reporters.

Pimentel was reacting to Trillanes’ statement that the Senate leader appears to be too nervous about the possible probe on Duterte’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.

Trillanes has filed a resolution asking the Senate banks committee to conduct a probe on the bank accounts of President Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

In his resolution, Trillanes cited the Vera Files report that says Duterte and Sara had at least P100 million in joint deposits and investments that were not disclosed in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

Vera Files said the report was based on documents previously released by Trillanes. The senator had claimed that the documents came from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Pimentel said that while it will be a waste of time to push through with such investigation, Trillanes will not be “censored.”

“Dito sa Senate, walang censorship. We follow procedures. Call na ni [committee] chairman ‘yun, so siyempre, since we are all elected public officials, si chairman na rin ang magwe-weigh kung may political repercussion para sa kanya,” Pimentel said.

The committee on banks is chaired by Senator Francis Escudero.

Pimentel said Trillanes should just file charges before the proper agencies if he has evidence to back up his allegations. —ALG, GMA News