Duterte’s bank records open for public scrutiny – Panelo

The public may get a chance to take a peek into President Duterte’s bank records soon.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said the waiver signed by the President to open his account in the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Julia Vargas branch back in May is still “valid” and has “never been recalled.”

“You must remember the documents signed by the President authorizing the bank to reveal his account so the ball is on the bank to do it, not on the President’s,” Panelo said.

“Under the law, they cannot release but we already signed a waiver so that’s up to the bank,” he added.

The President is open to releasing his bank transactions following the hidden wealth

allegations hurled by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, according to Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella.

The President recently directed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to probe Trillanes’ allegations against him and show documents about his true financial status.

Duterte earlier rejected Trillanes’ claims that he has more than 12 billion in bank deposits, saying he will resign immediately if the senator can prove this. He said the allegations rehashed by Trillanes were “pure garbage.”

Duterte explained he only receives a salary and does not accept any allowances. “I avoided it and it will be so until the end of my term,” he said.