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Duterte to Bong Go: Appearing on Navy frigate deal probe may be your ticket to Senate


President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said Special Assistant to the President Secretary Bong Go's appearance at the proposed legislative inquiry on the controversial P15.5-billion frigate acquisition project of the Philippine Navy can be his ticket to a Senate seat.

"Kaya sabi ko nga, there was a talk, sinabi sa kanya [Go], 'you’ll be called to testify.' Sabi ko, 'That is your golden opportunity para ma-senador ka,'" Duterte said in a speech during the 116th anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The next senatorial elections are slated for May 2019.

Opposition senators led by Minority Leader Franklin Drilon filed Senate Resolution No. 584 directing the committee on national defense and security, as well as the congressional oversight committee on the Armed Forces of the Modernization Act, to conduct a probe into the acquisition of two Philippine Navy frigates from South Korean firm Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The senators said the resolution seeks to determine whether the acquisition of the frigates "promotes the goals of the modernization program and complies with pertinent laws."

Go has already said he would attend the Senate hearing. He said he is willing to face his accusers "anywhere, anytime."

The President's closest aide was dragged into the issue after reports that he had allegedly intervened in the selection for the warships' Combat Management System.

He had belied claims that he at least saw the controversial white paper that linked him to the Philippine Navy frigate project, saying that he is not privy to the transaction of the Department of National Defense.

Duterte also said that Go would resign if the reports that he intervened in the acquisition project to acquire new weapons system supplier would be proven true. —ALG, GMA News

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