Go: P6.6 billion plunder exposé an old issue

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go described the P6.6-billion plunder exposé of former senator Antonio Trillanes IV as an old issue and dismissed claims that he and President Duterte siphoned public funds.

“Trillanes is airing this spoiled issue. Is there nothing new? In fact, in September 2018, I was not yet a senator, I answered it and even challenged Trillanes to investigate and file a case. I will never back down because I know my conscience is clear and I have not violated any law,” Go said.

“The question is, did I benefit? Did I interfere? Am I influential? Nothing! Other people are even better, asking me for help. But my family can’t get that close to me, especially my halfbrother,” Go noted.

In episode 9 of Trillanes’ anti-corruption blog, he alleged that President Duterte and Go plundered some P6.6 billion in public funds, a bulk of which occurred during the first two years of the present administration.

Trillanes claimed that Go, through two government contractors owned by his father, Deciderio Lim Go, and half-brother, Alfredo Amero Go, cornered some P4.89 billion and P1.74 billion worth of public contracts for road widening and concreting in Davao.

“When you add up the projects that Bong Go’s father and half-brother got, it will reach 6.6 billion pesos. Specifically, 1.5 billion pesos when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City, while 5.1 billion pesos worth of projects was earned by Bong Go’s family in the first two years of Duterte’s presidency,” Trillanes said.

The former senator said the Constitution prohibits the President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet and their deputies or assistants from participating in any business or contract with the government.

In response, Go dared Trillanes to prove the plunder claims.

“I had told him before that if he could prove his allegation, I would resign immediately. Almost three years have passed and Trillanes has not proven (anything). I have already answered all of them. He is feeding the people pure lies ... Instead of helping, he is only poisoning the minds of Filipinos for his own self-interest,” Go noted.

Go also said that he has answered the matter and even challenged Trilanes to investigate and file a case as early as September 2018.

“Now, I have a question for Trillanes, Mr. Fake News and no delicadeza… Did you ban your mom and dad while you were a soldier when they entered as suppliers to the Navy? Where is your delicadeza there?” he asked. – Paolo Romero