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‘We are not safe’: Netizens threaten to close bank accounts for Duterte

Rappler Social Media Team

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‘We are not safe’: Netizens threaten to close bank accounts for Duterte
(UPDATED) BPI says its 'internal investigation reveals there has been no such breach.' It adds that it is 'committed to protecting client information and preserving the trust bestowed on us by our clients all these years.'

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Facebook favorite presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte faces another controversy, and his supporters continue to defend him.

Vice Presidential candidate Senator Antonio Trillanes IV accused Duterte of hiding P211 million in a Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) branch on Wednesday, April 27. The discussion around the controversy grew on social media less than two weeks before the May 9 national elections. (READ: Trillanes to Duterte: Stop doing a Binay, sign waiver).

A post by journalist Ellen Tordesillas showed a photo of a bank receipt from BPI exposing the account Duterte and his daughter Sara. (READ: Alleged Duterte bank accounts don’t match his SALNs) The post has been shared almost 10 thousand times on Facebook, as of writing:  

Not wasting any time, the camp of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II also tried depositing to the same bank account:


‘We are not safe with BPI’

Several netizens – who seem to be mostly supporters of the ‘iron fist’ candidate – took to microblogging site Twitter to question the safety of their own personal accounts on BPI.






While others worried about the safety of their accounts, some encouraged others to close their BPI accounts and investments.

A post shared to the ‘Friends of Rodrigo Duterte’ Facebook group by netizen Rosani Masau was shared over 18 thousand times, as of writing. 

Screenshot from Facebook

Some went ahead to withdraw their deposits and close their accounts in protest.




Some simply destroyed their cards as a sign of protest against the bank’s silence on the issue.



Others tweeted BPI to question why it was so easy for Trillanes to get information on a private account.



Several tweets has been sent out tagging @talktopbi, the bank‘s Twitter account. 




While this was ongoing, @talktobpi was business as usual – replying to account holders who were experiencing technical difficulties with their online and mobile banking services.


 

In a statement, BPI responded by saying “Our internal investigation reveals that there has been no such breach. BPI continues to have one of the most highly regarded data protection practices in the industry, and we are committed to protecting client information and preserving the trust bestowed on us by our clients all these years.” (READ: BPI speaks up on Duterte controversy)

In the midst of the controversy, some also expressed their trust and support for the bank. 



Back in March, the tandem of Duterte and vice presidential candidate Alan Peter Cayetano signed a manifesto allowing their bank accounts to be scrutinized by the public. Recently, LP vice presidential bet Leni Robredo signed a waiver allowing the Ombudsman access to her financial documents. 

Roxas also showed to media a notarized waiver, giving the Ombudsman of the Philippines access to documents concerning his own assets, liabilities, and business ties “for the duration of [his] candidacy.” (READ: Roxas slams Duterte for ‘lying’ about BPI account)

DIGONG vs MAR. Supporters of Duterte defend their candidate, while supporters of Roxas encouraged them to switch sides

Word wars from supporters of the two rival candidates reached Twitter. Followers of Duterte defend for their candidate, while followers of Roxas encouraged them to switch sides.

On the other hand, Senator Grace Poe challenged Duterte to disprove the allegations that he has a P211 million secret bank account (READ: Poe to Duterte: Why blame me? Disprove bank account).

Duterte instructed his lawyer to open his BPI – Julia Vargas branch account in front of Trillanes on Monday, May 2.

As of writing, Duterte continued to soar on surveys. With less than two weeks away to the elections, is this a controversy his candidacy can survive? (READ: Duterte survives ‘rape comment,’ tops Poll Asia poll)

What are your thoughts on this issue? Let us know in the comments section below or write on X. – Rappler.com

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