MALACAÑANG on Monday clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte is not asking the public to deposit their donations for the victims of the Davao night market bombing to his bank account at the Bank of the Philippine Islands in Julia Vargas Avenue, Pasig City.

Speaking to reporters, Communications Assistant Secretary Christian Ablan said that the fundraising campaign was not initiated by the President but by the private individuals.

Ablan said he had already told Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who is acting as caretaker of the Palace while the President is not in the country, to look into reports that some individuals are asking to raise funds for the incident.

“I actually received a post on Facebook, tagging me, requesting to donate at least P5. I have raised the matter with the Office of the Executive Secretary to confirm such,” Ablan said.

“Those things might be the work of private individuals. But again, I’ve raised it with Executive Secretary, with the Office of the Executive Secretary,” he added.

Ablan was referring to the call of several individuals on their Facebook account to deposit P5 each to the President’s bank account, in a bid to help the victims of the deadly explosion that happened in Davao on Friday night.

Asked then if the Palace is allowing the public to deposit contributions to the President’s bank account, Ablan said: “No official message regarding the fund raising on social media. I refer it to the Office of the Executive Secretary in this such a drive. But first thing, I would proceed with caution.”

On Friday night, at least 14 individuals were killed while over 70 individuals were wounded during the explosion in a night market in Davao City. (Sunnex)