Liberal Party: We will not be cowed by Aguirre's allegations

MANILA, Philippines — The Liberal Party stood by its position on various issues amid allegations in the face of allegations by Justice Secretary Vitaliano II Aguirre that some members have secret offshore bank accounts.

"The Liberal Party has been through worse. We will not be cowed," the de facto opposition party said in a statement.

Aguirre earlier said that the government has started its investigation into the bank accounts of so-called "dilawans" in Switzerland, Malaysia and Australia.

The secretary said that the Anti-Money Laundering Council will release the names of the LP members with hidden accounts in the "right time."

The Liberal Party, meanwhile, said that this is another attempt by Aguirre to divert the public's attention from issues such as drug smuggling, corruption allegations against Duterte allies and the killings of minors and innocents.

"We consider the threat of persecution — especially from a secretary whose resignation we have openly called for —  a sorry, hardly unbiased attempt to divert the public's attention away from these issues," the LP said.

The LP stressed that they have always adhered to its core values of integrity and people-centeredness.

"Nevertheless, we are proud to stand for our values, regardless of what the administration chooses to label us," the statement read.

Senators from the LP have called on the resignation of Aguirre following his spreading of fake information on individuals he tagged as "dilawan."