An ethics scandal is hounding the White House amid growing concerns over the conflicts of interest of real estate mogul-turned-United States President Donald Trump.

Historian Manolo Quezon said the issue is only a hot topic in the US since Trump is going against past traditions that put the appearance of correct behavior at the same level with or higher than the law itself.

“And so, for Donald Trump, a provision in the United States constitution is the sum total of limits on his money-making. The provision is called the emoluments clause,” Quezon said on Mornings@ANC.

The emoluments clause restricts members of the US government from receiving gifts, emoluments, offices or titles from foreign states without the consent of the US Congress.

“The question is, in the present day, does this mean doing business with corporations abroad? When Century Properties in Manila, for example, pays a license fee for Trump Tower Manila, and the owner of Century Properties is a Philippine presidential envoy to Washington, would this put President Trump in the tempting position to modify his policies to suit his customers in Manila?” Quezon asked.

Quezon joins Mornings@ANC to explain his views on the issue of private gains of government officials.

–Mornings@ANC 13 February 2017