Rody dares Congress: Start probe on my ‘ill-gotten wealth’

Amid persistent claims that he and his family are amassing illegal wealth while in office, President Duterte challenged Congress to start the investigation of his alleged billions worth of wealth.

Duterte made the call during his speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport before he left for India to attend the India-ASEAN commemorative summit and Republic Day from Jan. 24 to 27.

For the nth time, he denied having enriched himself in office.

“That is why I want Congress to proceed. Mag-imbestiga kayo (Investigate). As a matter of fact, ako ‘yung mismo nag-i-insist para malaman ninyo ‘yung totoo (I’m the one insisting that you investigate for you to know the truth). This endless suspicion. It’s about time that we face each other,” Duterte said.

He said he can go after corrupt officials and firms who have not been paying correct taxes because he knows he cannot be implicated in any wrongdoing.

“Billions? Susmaryosep. To my billions, I’m going because I’m late,” Duterte said as he left the podium to board his chartered flight to New Delhi.

He made the statement a few days after VERA Files alleged that Duterte and his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio are keeping about P100 million in joint deposits and investments.

The father and daughter did not declare the amounts in their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

The Duterte camp repeatedly said that the claims, initially exposed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV during the campaign, have no basis.