Palace says probe on Bong Go up to Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday distanced itself from the Senate resolution calling for a probe on the government deals bagged by the relatives of public officials and employees including President Duterte’s aide Christopher “Bong” Go. 

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, an outspoken critic of Duterte, has filed a resolution seeking an investigation on the possible conflict of interest arising from the government contracts. 

Trillanes called for the probe after the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reported that CLTG Builders, a firm owned by Go’s father Desiderio, was one of the companies with the most number of public infrastructure projects in the Davao region. 

Go has denied meddling with the procurement processes and has vowed to resign if anyone proves that he was involved in corruption. 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said it would be up to the Senate to decide whether to investigate the findings of the report. 

“That’s a resolution that should be acted upon by the Senate. We cannot interfere with it, because the Senate has plenary powers to conduct its own Senate investigations,” Roque said in a press briefing. 

“I’m not aware of any conflict of interest on the part of anyone, and I’m sure SAP (Special Assistant to the President) Bong Go can very well defend himself,” he added. 

Citing the PCIJ report, Trillanes said in the resolution that CLTG Builders bagged P1.85 billion worth of infrastructure projects from 2007 to 2017, and P2.7 billion in joint ventures with four contractors. The company did not complete all the joint project ventures before the original deadline, the senator added. 

Trillanes said there was an “urgent need” to investigate whether government officials had exerted “undue influence” in the conduct of public transactions. 

Go said he was “excited” to face Trillanes in the Senate and expressed hope that the inquiry would be conducted soon. 

“He (Trillanes) should do it fast before he goes into hiding,” Go said, alluding to the possible arrest of Trillanes in connection with the voiding of the senator’s amnesty. 

“I observe delicadeza in my entire life. If he proves that I am into corruption, I will resign,” he added.  

While he would serve as a resource person during the probe, Go said he would like to ask Trillanes whether he barred his kin from entering into deals with the 

government when the senator was still a soldier. Duterte has claimed that Trillanes’ mother was involved in Philippine Navy transactions.