(Eagle News) — Special Assistant to the President Bong Go said he would attend a Senate probe into the Navy’s P15.7-billion frigate acquisition project if the inquiry pushes through and if he is invited.
Go made the statement in a brief text message to reporters.
Opposition senators have filed Resolution No. 584 calling for a probe into the acquisition of two frigates for use by the Navy.
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said Go interfered in the bidding process for the Combat Management Systems of the frigates.
Go has denied the allegations.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was impossible for Go to have interfered in any way because the bidding for the two frigates was done and the winner declared during then-President Benigno Aquino III’s time.
He said the bidding for the CMS and the bidding for the frigates were not done separately.
Roque noted that the Duterte administration’s role in the project was merely “ministerial,” as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana merely gave the notice to award.
Lorenzana and Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado–who Alejano said was sacked as Navy commander for “jeopardizing” the project—also denied that Go tried to intervene in any way.