Nothing new with Trillanes’ allegations vs Pres. Duterte—solon

A congressman on Thursday said there is “nothing new” with the allegations made by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV against Pres. Rodrigo Duterte that he has over PHP2 billion worth of undeclared bank accounts. (Photo: Harry L. Roque/Facebook)

MANILA— A congressman on Thursday said there is “nothing new” with the allegations made by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV against Pres. Rodrigo Duterte that he has over PHP2 billion worth of undeclared bank accounts.

In an interview with reporters, House Deputy Minority Leader and Kabayan Party-list Rep. Harry Roque said that he was expecting Trillanes to release new information on his allegations but there was clearly none.

Trillanes first made the allegations when Pres. Duterte was presidential candidate in April 2016, noting that it has been almost nine months since Pres. Duterte released his bank accounts and has yet to prove his claims wrong.

“…Akala ko mayroong bagong ilalabas. Pero yung ebidensya n’ya noong panahon ng eleksyon, yoon pa rin ang ebidensya nya ngayon (I thought he has something new to show. But the evidence he showed during the elections is the same as the evidence he has now),” Roque said.

Roque pointed out that Trillanes did not even present “original” documents.

He said that because of the seriousness of his allegations against the Pres. Duterte, Trillanes should also present original documents that came from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and not just a summary of the President’s alleged deposits.

“Kahit sino man ay pwedeng gumawa nyan (Anyone can do that),” he added.

Roque said that he admires Trillanes’ courage but said that he should accompany his courage with solid proof.

Roque, who filed an ethics complaint versus De Lima, said that it seems like her supporters are trying to make it appear like she is “being oppressed.”

“I think merong PR plan ang mga kalaban ng administrasyon na palabasin na inaapi si Sen. Leila de Lima (I think the enemies of the administration have a PR plan to make it appear like Sen. Leila de Lima is being oppressed),” he said.

He said that De Lima should not be pitied since various testimonies have implicated her as responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) during her term as Justice Secretary.