Noynoy Aquino Promised in 2010 to Sign Waiver to Open Bank Accounts But Changed His Mind in 2012

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has been consistent in demanding President Rodrigo Duterte to sign a waiver to open his bank account. This is line with his allegations that the president has over P2 billion hiding in several bank accounts. In fact, the Liberal Party (LP) ally senator said his documents came from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).



But while Sen. Trillanes keeps on pushing President Duterte to sign a waiver, he was silent in 2012 when then-President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said he will not sign a waiver to open his bank accounts. Apparently, this was contrary to his promise when he was still a senator during the 2010 presidential elections campaign period.

“’Pag nagwi-withdraw ka, mahigpit. ‘Pag nagde-deposit, hindi kasing higpit. Sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos, ‘pag nilagay ko ‘yung aking account number, may nag-deposito diyan, magpapaliwanag pa ako na hindi ko alam pumasok,” Noynoy Aquino told reporters on June 1, 2012 after attending the 1st International River Summit in Iloilo City.

“So sasarado ko ‘yung account na ‘yon para maprotektahan ang sarili ko. Magbubukas ng panibago, tatanungin na naman niyo ‘yung bagong numero. Babalik na naman tayo sa sitwasyon na ilalagay ko sa baul sa bahay kung ano man ang ari-arian ko,” he added, with Malacañang saying that the President Aquino has no foreign currency deposit account.

“On the (SALN) form, before you affix your signature, there is a provision that says pwedeng buksan ng Ombudsman at anytime. Ginawa ko na (pirmahan ang SALN). Gagawa ko ulit? Drama na lang ‘yon, okay. Punta ka sa Ombudsman, nandoon sa SALN nakapirma. And I have been signing it consistently. I’ve been filing it,” The then-president said further.



However, on February 23, 2010 during the presidential forum held at the Integrity and Human Rights Conference in Makati City, Noynoy Aquino said he is very much willing to sign a waiver to open his bank account if there is a question about his integrity. Fast forward to today, Aquino is facing criminal charges over the Mamasapano tragedy.

Contributed by Salvi Dalida