Trillanes spreading rehashed lies with plunder allegations – Go

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday dismissed the plunder allegations made against him by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as rehashed lies.

According to Trillanes, a construction firm owned by Go’s family bagged P6 billion worth of government contracts from 2007 to 2018, with P3.2 billion secured in 2017 when Duterte was already in Malacañang.

Go served as Duterte’s close aide for more than 20 years before being elected to the Senate in 2019.

In a statement, Go said he had answered the allegations and recalled challenging Trillanes in September 2018 to investigate and file cases.

Go said Trillanes brought up an old issue because of the upcoming 2022 elections.

“Panis na isyu itong pinapalabas ni Trillanes. Wala na bang bago?” he said.

(Trillanes presented an old issue. Is there something new?)

“Puro kasinungalingan ang pinapakain niya sa taumbayan. Kaysa makatulong, nilalason lang niya ang isipan ng mga Pilipino para sa kanyang pansariling interes.”

(The people were fed lies. Instead of helping them, he’s poisoning the minds of Filipinos for selfish interest.)

Go said the transactions went through public bidding and proper procurement procedures, adding he never allowed his family to ask him for favors.

“Ang tanong ay nakinabang ba ako? Nakialam ba ako? Nag impluwensya ba ako? Wala! Buti pa ang ibang tao, nakakahingi ng tulong sa akin. Pero ang pamilya ko hindi nakakalapit sa akin 'yan, lalo na ang half brother ko na magkaiba naman ang aming nanay,” he said.

(The question is, did I benefit from those projects? Did I interfere? Did I use my influence? No! Other people were able to ask for my help. My family never approached me, especially my half brother since we have different mothers)

Go then asked Trillanes if he had barred his parents from entering into contracts with the government while he was still a Navy officer.

In 2018, Duterte claimed that the former senator's mother Estelita had a supply contract with the Philippine Navy when Trillanes and his father were still in the military service.

In response, the former senator was quoted as saying on "24 Oras" that no single document was presented by Go to prove his allegations on the Navy transactions.  

Trillanes had earlier slammed Duterte for dragging his mother into their political squabble. He also said no cases were filed against his mother.— DVM/LDF, GMA News