Bong Go hits Rappler, Inquirer over frigate deal reports

Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go on Monday accused Rappler and Inquirer of "irresponsible reporting" as regards the controversial Philippine Navy frigate deal.

During the Senate hearing on the  P15.5-billion frigate procurement project (FAP) of the Philippine Navy, Go insisted that his name was just dragged in the issue after the reports of the two media firms were published.

"Ang pinag-usapan po ngayon ay naging issue lamang ng maglabas ang Rappler at Inquirer ng fake news at sinabing ako po ay nakialam dahil ang lahat ng ito ay nagsimula galing sa isang irresponsible reporting," Go said. 

"Nung araw na nabasa ko po sa... unang-una umaga sa Inquirer. Nung tumungo po kami ni Pangulong Duterte doon sa blessing nung sa CAAP-DOTC (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines - Department of Transportation and Communications). Bago lang po," Go said.

Rappler's article on the issue was flashed before the Senate hearing.

Go reiterated that the report was false, adding that the headline of the article was "malicious."

"Masasabi ko pong fake news 'yan kasi unang-una, nakalagay oh Bong Go intervenes in P15.5 billion project to acquire Philippine warships... malisyoso. Di pa nga nila sigurado nagintervene ako, intervenes kaagad? Pangalawa, 'yung amount P15.5 billion, ano bang pinaguusapan dito kanina pa tayo naguusap dito... CMS hindi na 'yung ship mismo pero nilagay nila P15.5 billion," Go said.

"Pangatlo nakalagay diyan binaligtad ko 'yung desisyon, binaligtad ko ba? Meron ba kong ginawang pagbabaligtad?" he added.

Go said he would quit from his post if it will be proven during the investigation that he interfered with the said project.

"Nandito naman po lahat ng gentleman from the Philippine Navy, since nandito tayo pwede niyo isa-isahin lahat, kung meron ba kong tinawagan, tinanong oh naginfluence man ako na ibaligtad. Isa lang pag may nakapagturo, paglabas ko rito... I will resign," Go said.

In an official statement, Inquirer maintained that their reports were based on the documents from reliable sources, adding that those papers were authenticated by military personnel who were knowledgeable on the frigate deal.

Inquirer also said they had sought the comments of Go and Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana on the issue.

"The headlines of the news reports on this issue -- 'Duterte top aide says he did not intervene in choice of Navy supplier P15.7 billion warship programs' and 'DND clears top DU30 aide in warship deal' -- are proof that the Inquirer was fair and balanced in its presentation of the sides of all the parties concerned," Inquirer said.

The Inquirer said it "adheres to the principles of fairness and accuracy in its news reports."

GMA News Online is still getting Rappler's comment as of posting time. —Anna Felicia Bajo/NB, GMA News