The most recent allegation against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte—bank accounts containing millions of pesos—shows how inconsistent and hypocritical he has been in his statements.
It may be recalled that after admitting the existence of the bank account, Duterte said he would sign a waiver if Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV would execute a formal affidavit.
However, even after Trillanes presented the affidavit at BPI’s Julia Vargas branch last May 2, Duterte did not issue a waiver that would have legally and effectively allowed the opening of his bank accounts.
It’s kind of ironic, given that Duterte had called rival LP presidential candidate Mar Roxas “bayot”—a Bisaya word for “sissy,” which also denotes cowardice—reportedly, for not being open and transparent with his financial statements.
No wonder, Roxas says, Duterte’s “true character”—“a coward and as corrupt as the officials that he (and his supporters) denounce”—is now slowly unraveling before the public.
To be fair, Roxas can sympathize with Duterte. He himself had also been the butt of accusations—from the “mishandling” of the international funds for
Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivors, to the neglect and deterioration of Metro Manila’s rail transport systems when he was the transportation secretary.
However, there’s one difference: Roxas tried, repeatedly, to reason with his critics, showing them concrete evidence debunking their charges.
Duterte, on the other hand, seems to have opted to hide behind legal “wordplays” to divert public attention from the charges against him.
So who’s the real coward now?
Today, we could all do well to heed Roxas’ admonition for the people to be more circumspect, objective and observant in choosing their leaders.
Let us remember, as Roxas himself has put it, that as the Bible says, no secret goes uncovered—which is exactly what is happening now to Duterte.
—JAMES VELOSO, jveloso.1202@gmail.com