By Roy Ramos ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) –President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday told the Philippine Army to remove him from presidency if they prove that he’s lying about his wealth.
“If it will exceed the 40 million mark, and that is my lifetime savings, including my hereditary properties, as I said, please oust me if I tell a lie to you,” said Duterte.
His remarks were made at the transfer of command of the Philippine Army from Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda to Major Gen. Rolando Bautista in Fort Bonifacio in the capital Manila.
Opposition senator Antonio Trillanes IV has alleged that the president has millions of pesos in bank accounts and questioned its source saying he could not accumulate that much because “he was just a mayor of Davao City”.
Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang last week supported Trillanes’ claim as evidenced by the documents he obtained from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
The AMLC however has denied releasing any document on Duterte’s bank accounts.
Amid accusations that he had amassed billions of pesos, Duterte on Wednesday claimed that the opposition Liberal Party is in alliance with the communist New People’s Army in destabilizing the Philippine government and removing him in power.
In his speech before the military, he reminded them of their vow to the country – to remain “loyal to the Constitution and to the flag”.
"Do not nurture a personal [motive] or a person there. All of us who work for the government… we are just passing,” said Duterte. “It behooves upon you, I said, to see to it that this country will grow, prosper until the end of time," he added.
Duterte also commended the army for their “commitment to protect our people and defend the democratic rights” as shown by the recent net trust rating of 75%.
He also reiterated his promise to increase the Philippines’ forces compensation.
“I would want to leave the presidency with a strong Army and a strong police,” he said.