WATCH: Spokesman's earlier denial of Duterte's BPI bank account

ABS-CBN News

Before Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte confirmed the existence of an account under his name at the BPI branch on Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City, his own spokesperson had called the bank account "non-existent."

In an interview on ANC's "Headstart" Thursday morning, Peter Laviña said Trillanes' accusation that Duterte owns a joint account with his daughter, Sara, containing P211 million is a mere fabrication meant to destroy the mayor's chances in the presidential race.

Laviña questioned why Duterte would open an account in Pasig City when he is based in Davao.

"This is a non-existent account. As a lawyer, he would not issue any waiver pointing to a non-existent account," he said, adding that the burden of proof is with Trillanes.

Duterte on Wednesday also branded as "pure garbage" Trillanes' allegations and turned the tables against the vice presidential aspirant, calling him "a dangerous man."

"I am not a rich man," Duterte said. "Huwag kayong maniwala diyan. It's pure garbage."

"What I have is P200,000. Puro kabalastugan yan. Trillanes, he is a dangerous man. Kita mo ang porma maglakad, akala mo kung sino ang buang (crazy)," he added.