Senate starts probe into Navy frigate deal

The Senate committee on national defense and security started Monday morning its probe on the P15.5 billion-Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) of the Philippine Navy with Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go in attendance and several Cabinet members present to support him.

In his opening speech, Senator Gregorio Honasan II, committee chairman, said they hope to identify the challenges and strengths that slow down or prevent the successful implementation of the project.

Defense and military officials now at the Senate for the frigate deal hearing @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/h7dHquw52z

— Amita O. Legaspi (@amitalegaspi) February 19, 2018

He also expressed openness about having an executive or closed door meeting with the resource persons if necessary.

“If any resource persons believe that the matter to be discussed involves national security, he or she may request for an executive session to determine the need to discuss the information in a public hearing or in an executive session,” he said. 

“Your committee is not inclined to expose our  strengths and weaknesses to friend and foe. This is least preferred option and we will just hammer on the issues,” Honasan said. —KG, GMA News