In response to recent Odebrecht-related corruption allegations, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Thursday night said he would not resign and offered the Prosecutor's Office access to his banking records for corresponding probes.
In an address from the Government Palace joined by his whole ministerial cabinet, President Kuczynski affirmed he has no reason to hide.
"I am here because you deserve an explanation, and it is my duty to provide one," the Head of State said.
The President reiterated his honesty and willingness to defend the truth before Congress' Lava Jato investigative commission and the Prosecutor's Office.
"I request the lifting of my bank secrecy so that they can check all they want, and I take full responsibility for my actions [...]," he added.
Mr. Kuczynski also said he would not be intimidated by the opposition in Congress, which had expressed its intention to seek impeachment if he did not resign.
"I will not abdicate my honor, nor my values, nor my responsibilities as President of all Peruvians,” he pointed out.
Payments
As for the document Brazilian builder Odebrecht recently submitted to Congress disclosing alleged payments, President Kuczynski described the information as a "biased report."
In this sense, the leader explained the deposits recorded in two pages of the document were made to First Capital, "a company to which —as I have already affirmed— I have no ties, neither as a partner nor as an executive."
President Kuczynski stressed the only payment in said pages made to him was a financial advisory fee for services he provided to First Capital —in a completely lawful way— at a time when he "did not hold public office."
Regarding the other deposits in the document, made to Westfield Capital, the President acknowledged ownership of the company but denied involvement with its management.
"[…] I have never been in charge of the management nor the administration of the company while holding public office," he pointed out.
"I had nothing to do with the signing of these contracts. It was all done in a public manner. As you can see here, this is not my signature […]."
"It is imperative that we explain what is happening here: systemic corruption attempts to threaten our government and our democratic system. It is that clear and that serious," he concluded.
(END) SMA/MVB