Ni Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
Malacañang believes that Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go can prove his innocence after opposition senators have sought a probe on the R16-billion frigate project of the Department of National Defense.
Opposition senators have sought to investigate the project after Go was accused of intervening in the selection of a second supplier for the Combat Management Systems of the two warships.
According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the Senate is welcome to conduct an inquiry as it is part of their constitutional mandate.
“Senate can investigate and that’s their prerogative. We’re confident that SAP Go can stand his ground that he did not intervene,” Roque said.
“Senate investigation is a welcome move to determine if Aquino government committed any anomalies in the bidding,” he added, referring to the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Go said that he is willing to attend the Senate inquiry. “Oo dadalo ako!” Go said.
Malacañang, including President Duterte, has defended Go from the allegations.
Duterte said that he will fire Go himself if the allegations against his right-hand man are proven.
“Find a way na magsabi ka ng totoo nag-intervene kami. I’ll give it to you. And if you can find, I will ask Bong to resign tomorrow. Work on it tonight. Let me know tomorrow and I will fire him if he did intervene, even for one word,” Duterte said.
Go cried foul, saying that his name was unfairly dragged in the controversy, adding that he was not privy to the frigate transaction of the DND.
“I have never seen the controversial document that is alleged to have come from me, much less, handed the same to SND Lorenzana,” Go said.
“In fact, I will resign if it can be proven that I intervened. It should be emphasized that the frigate project was already a done deal in 2016 during the time of former President Aquino,” he added.
Roque had earlier said that it was impossible for Go to intervene in the project because it was done during the previous administration.
“Now the acquisition/decision memorandum for these frigates actually was entered into as early June 7, 2013. On June – on Jan. 24, 2016 the final technical specifications for the procurement of the frigates was approved by then Secretary of National Defense Gazmin,” Roque said.
