INQUIRER AND PRESIDENTIAL FILE PHOTOS
Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday said he is thrilled to have a “face-off” with Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as investigation looms over government projects allegedly clinched by his relatives in Davao City.
“I’m very excited for another Senate face-off with Mr. Trillanes. Bilisan na niya, kagaya ng sabi ko sana bukas na, kasi baka mamaya magtago na siya papaano pa kami maghaharap,” Go told reporters in an ambush interview in Malacañang.
Go’s remark came after Trillanes, who has been holed up in the Senate after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a proclamation revoking his amnesty, filed a resolution for a Senate committee on civil service probe on the possible “conflict of interest arising from government contracts obtained by kin of government employees and/or officials.”
The mutineer-turned-legislator is the chairman of the said Senate panel.
READ: Trillanes seeks probe on projects allegedly ‘cornered’ by Go’s kin
A recent Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report revealed that government contracts were cornered by companies owned by Go’s relatives – CLTG Builders and Alfrego Builders and Supplies.
CLTG Builders is allegedly owned by Go’s father while Alfrego Builders is allegedly owned by Go’s step-brother.
Go however has denied involvement in the alleged contracts, adding that the PCIJ report made him a “victim of fake news and biased reporting.”
Go even dared Trillanes to resign if the allegations against him will be found fake and concocted.
READ: Go mocks Trillanes on Davao infra projects probe: Start ASAP
The President’s trusted aide also stressed that he “observe delicadeza” even before Duterte took the presidency, noting that he has barred his relatives from engaging in government commitments.
“Pinagbawalan ko po ang aking mga kaanak na pumasok kasi immediate po iyon hindi po sila nakapasok or nakatungtong ng (Davao) City Hall kasi I observe delicadeza, wala pa ‘tong kampanya,” he said.
Go further said that if given the chance, he would like to ask Trillanes if he too has delicadeza, citing the contracts supposedly bagged by the senator’s parents from the Philippine Navy.
In a one-on-one tête-à-tête with Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, Mr. Duterte said Trillanes’ parents had business dealings in the Navy while the senator and his father were still active in the service.
READ: Duterte accuses Trillanes’ parents of entering into business deals with Navy
“Sana bigyan din ako ng pagkakataon na magtanong sa kanya… kung may delicadeza din ba siya. Kung noong panahong nasa Navy siya, Tatay niya sundalo; kung binawalan din ba niya na pumasok sa government contracts ang kanyang mga kaanak,” he said. /kga