Tell ‘the truth only’, Duterte advises Bong Go

President Rodrigo Duterte with Christopher “Bong” Go in Malacañang. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC)

Tell the truth.

That was the advice of President Rodrigo Duterte on Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go as he is set to face the Senate, which would look into the Philippine Navy’s frigate deal.

“[Tell] the truth only,” Go said in a text message on Monday morning when asked about the President’s advice on him.

The Inquirer earlier reported that Go had allegedly meddled in the Navy’s selection of the weapons system for the frigate project of the government.

The report said Go allegedly wanted Hanwha Thales (HTC) of South Korea to provide the combat management systems (CMS) over the Tacticos CMS of Thales Nederlands.

Go, who is Mr. Duterte’s closest aide, has repeatedly denied the accusations against him, saying he would resign if proven that he interfered in the frigate deal, which he said was already a done deal during the term of former president Benigno S. Aquino III.

Aside from Go, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque is expected to attend the Senate inquiry as well as Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

The Senate committee on national defense and security would spearhead the hearing on the Navy’s purchase of the P15.7-billion CMS for the frigates starting today (February 19).

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