Palace refuses to comment on ‘hearsays,’ ‘kwentong kutsero’

Malacañang snubbed a report by online news organization VERA Files that President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, did not fully disclose their joint deposits and investments worth over P100 million.

VERA Files reported that there is a discrepancy in the bank records of the father and daughter with the amount they have declared in their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), in years 2006-2014.

In a news conference, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that it was needless to comment on such reports for it is only a “hearsay.”

“We cannot comment on hearsay. The reality is the law says bank statements are in fact confidential… How could I comment when the documents are not authenticated?

” he said.

Roque added that the bank documents used by VERA Files as sources has yet to be authenticated by the Bank of the Philippine Islands.

He also challenged the news organization to find ways to prove the authenticity of the statement,  but until then, Roque said the report is considered “kwentong kutsero.”

(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 01/ 22 / 18)