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Philippines’ Duterte rejects ‘lousy’ probe, accuses anti-graft body of corruption | Philippines’ Duterte rejects ‘lousy’ probe, accuses anti-graft body of corruption |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte says he won't cooperate with a special investigation into his alleged wealth by the national anti-corruption agency, accusing the body of “selective justice” and prioritizing him over more serious violations. | |
Last week the office of the Ombudsman confirmed it was investigating Duterte’s financial dealings prior to his election as president in May last year. | Last week the office of the Ombudsman confirmed it was investigating Duterte’s financial dealings prior to his election as president in May last year. |
“I will not submit jurisdiction to the ombudsman because it’s a lousy thing,” Duterte said in an expletive-laden speech in Davao City, according to Philippines news outlet Philstar. | |
The investigation was launched on the back of a complaint by Senator Antonio Trillanes who alleged that Duterte had amassed a personal fortune of 2.2 billion pesos ($43.1 million) between 2006 and 2015 and failed to disclose that money in his official assets declaration. | The investigation was launched on the back of a complaint by Senator Antonio Trillanes who alleged that Duterte had amassed a personal fortune of 2.2 billion pesos ($43.1 million) between 2006 and 2015 and failed to disclose that money in his official assets declaration. |
“[Ombudsman Conchita Carpio] Morales, you prioritize the case that has been filed for a long time. You are in on a selective justice, son of a b****. How come the complaints against us were prioritized? The complaints against us that are not true? I said it to your sorrow,” the president added. | |
Duterte insisted that his family’s income comes from legitimate sources and he said it amounted to no more than 40 million pesos ($785,000). | Duterte insisted that his family’s income comes from legitimate sources and he said it amounted to no more than 40 million pesos ($785,000). |
READ MORE: Change of heart? Duterte praises US as important ally, says will ‘avoid cursing’ | READ MORE: Change of heart? Duterte praises US as important ally, says will ‘avoid cursing’ |
"All in all it would not go beyond 40 million, my lifetime savings. A part of that was my inheritance," Duterte said. “You have friends in the central bank… You can see it. I tell you, I will slap it on your faces.” | |
The president accused the anti-corruption body of taking bribes to dismiss cases. Earlier, he promised to establish a commission to look into allegations of anomalies in the agency’s work. | The president accused the anti-corruption body of taking bribes to dismiss cases. Earlier, he promised to establish a commission to look into allegations of anomalies in the agency’s work. |
He also took aim at the Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang, who announced the investigation. | He also took aim at the Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang, who announced the investigation. |
“Just pray, Carandang,” he said according to Philstar, “I’m not threatening you... If the Philippines goes to the dogs, I will deal with you first.” | “Just pray, Carandang,” he said according to Philstar, “I’m not threatening you... If the Philippines goes to the dogs, I will deal with you first.” |
Duterte’s tirade is in sharp contrast to the remarks of a presidential spokesperson who spoke last week about the president’s willingness to cooperate with the investigation as he had nothing to hide. | Duterte’s tirade is in sharp contrast to the remarks of a presidential spokesperson who spoke last week about the president’s willingness to cooperate with the investigation as he had nothing to hide. |
“The president respects the internal processes of the Office of the Ombudsman as an independent body and trusts its impartiality in the conduct of its fact-finding duty,” spokesman Ernesto Abella said, according to Reuters. |
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