A leader does not flip-flop – Grace

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Grace Poe called on her presidential rival Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to be consistent with his statements, particularly over some controversial issues involving him.

Poe aired her concern about the constant flip-flopping of Duterte on various issues, especially when his statements end up generating negative reactions.

She said the public should be able to trust a president to always tell the truth, especially regarding his personal life.

Duterte has been criticized for his inconsistent statements, in particular over his recent admission that he has undeclared bank accounts.

Poe criticized the vague responses made by Duterte regarding the allegations made by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV about his alleged hidden wealth kept in various bank accounts, ranging from over P200 million to P2.4 billion.

Duterte initially denied the existence of the account, but later backtracked after proof of its existence was uploaded online.

Duterte later said the bank account only contains a few thousand pesos, although reports said he was quoted as saying that it contains “a little less than P211 million.”

Duterte has been vague in his answers over the allegations made by Trillanes, along with inconsistencies in his statements over other issues.

Fellow presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago also called on Duterte to come clean and stop hiding behind empty rhetoric.

Santiago said she was shocked by the disclosures made by Trillanes because of the way she knew Duterte in the past.

“I’m very surprised because I know him personally and we’ve always been good friends. He lives in humble homes. He does not live ostentatiously. He does not consume with profligacy. So I thought he was a prim and proper public official. If he is hard talking, nevermind, we can suffer that. It’s shocking,” Santiago said about the allegations.

Santiago did not question the credibility of Trillanes’ claims because what he presented was most likely from the government itself.

“Trillanes is an ally of the administration. So Trillanes got the information from the AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council), I think,” she said.

According to Santiago, the Davao mayor failed miserably in not refuting any of the allegations made against him by Trillanes.

“He was at the head of the pack, then all of a sudden, he falls because his answers on the bank deposits are very vague. They do not make any sense. You have to have details to be credible, especially if you’re defending yourself,” Santiago said.

Poe also said Duterte should address all issues being raised against him as a presidential candidate.

“For his own benefit, it would be better if he discloses (the information) if you’re not hiding (anything). If he does not own them, then he should prove this. This would even do him good,” Poe said.

“It is not proper to say this, then suddenly you say something different from what you said earlier. How can we trust and depend on him?” she remarked.

Poe’s runningmate Sen. Francis Escudero said all public officials, more so candidates for president, should always address all the issues being raised against them.