Senate opposition seeks probe on controversial frigate project

Members of the Senate minority bloc have filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the controversial acquisition of two Philippine Navy frigates amid newspaper reports that President Rodrigo Duterte’s close aide Bong Go supposedly “intervened” in the project.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon—together with Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima, and Antonio Trillanes IV —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 (AFP) Act, to conduct the probe.

They said the resolution seeks to determine whether the acquisition of the frigates “promotes the goals of the modernization program and complies with pertinent laws.”  

Filed last Tuesday, the resolution mentioned the sacking of Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado as the Navy’s Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) last month for allegedly “resisting” the implementation of the P16-billion project.

Back then, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that Mercado was relieved from his post for supposedly “jeopardizing” the frigate acquisition project, noting that the latter was “fixated” on a specific company for the combat management system (CMS) for the warships.

The purchase of frigates was initiated during the Benigno Aquino administration. The contract was signed under the Duterte administration and is among the biggest items in the AFP modernization program, the minority bloc said.

Hyundai Heavy Industries  won the bid to build the two warships. HHI then selected Hanwha Thales of South Korea to provide the CMS. But Mercado allegedly insisted on tapping Tacticos Thales of The Netherlands.

The resolution said Lorenzana formed a steering committee, which submitted a resolution affirming Hyundai’s selection.

“There have been allegations that the formation of the said committee, in the first place, violated the Government Procurement Act,” the minority senators said.

The Defense Department said it welcomes the forthcoming probe.

“In fact, we have long been waiting for the opportunity to shed light on this issue so that the truth will finally be known,” said DND spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong.

Earlier this week, reports said that Go “intervened” in the selection of the CMS. He has denied the allegation .  

Duterte defended Go, saying his close aide was even willing to resign if the reports were proven true.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed that the Palace had conducted an investigation, which showed that the allegations against Go were “untrue and unfounded.” —LBG/RSJ, GMA News