President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to resign "immediately" if Senator Antonio Trillanes IV would be able prove allegations that he had amassed more than P2 billion in his bank transactions.
In a taped interview in Davao City late Thursday night, Duterte played down claims made by Trillanes, whom he described as 'ignorant.'
"If Trillanes can prove his allegation that I have amassed P 2 billion illegally or if that bank account under my name has a total deposit at one time of even just half a billion, I will resign as President immediately," Duterte said.
"This is actually an old and rehashed issue. I have answered this allegation before I became president. The people have already spoken. They have placed me in the office with 16 million votes," he reminded the lawmaker.
Duterte added, "I would advise Trillanes to go to court and file the proper case against me. I advise him further to stop opening his mouth when he has nothing to say anyway."
Trillanes had earlier renewed his challenge for Duterte to disclose his bank transactions from 2011 to 2015.
The senator also included Duterte’s ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, his partner Honeylet and his children in the allegations.
Duterte defended his partner, saying she is working hard for her money.
He said, "it is amusing how Trillanes came up with his accounting. He even included day-to-day banking transaction of my partner Honeylet. This just shows his ignorance with regard to the revenue and banking business."
“You know, Trillanes, Honeylet started her doughnut business 18 years ago. She supplies meat to five malls here in Davao. She supplies them with pork. That’s how that woman got so much money. She’s patient, unlike you. You are ambitious," he stated.
Duterte likewise noted that his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, "is a lawyer by profession" who earns money and has clients "who actually pay for her services."