Navy chief welcomes Senate panel probe into frigates acquisition deal

(Eagle News)– Navy chief Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad welcomed on Saturday  the Senate probe into the P15.5-billion frigates deal that is slated to begin on Monday.

“(It) is very good, at least the truth will come out,” Empedrad said at the Philippine Military Academy’s alumni homecoming in Baguio on Saturday.

It is the Senate committee on national defense and security that is tasked with the inquiry, which was launched following allegations Special Assistant to the President Bong Go intervened in the selection of the frigates’ weapons supplier.

Go has vehemently denied the allegations, and has promised to attend the probe.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Go could not have intervened  since the selection of the supplier was already a “done deal” during then-President Benigno Aquino III’s time.