Trillanes wants special audit on gov’t deals of construction firms linked to Bong Go's family

Former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV on Friday called on the Commission on Audit (COA) to launch a special audit on the transactions between the government and the construction companies linked to Senator Bong Go and his family.

“I am calling on the Commission on Audit to conduct a special audit on all the transactions of Bong Go’s family, namely CLTG and Alfrego Builders, with the government based on the very same official documents they have given to me in 2019,” Trillanes said in a statement.

Sought for comment, Go said it is better for COA to conduct an audit to prove that Trillanes' accusations are "fabricated, bloated, and baseless."

"Sa COA, mas mabuting paki-audit po. Wala naman po kaming tinatago. Very welcome para sa akin kung may independent body na mag-iimbestiga nito para lumabas ang katotohanan kung sino ang nag-iimbento lamang ng mga paratang," he said in a statement.

(To COA, it is better to have this audited. We have nothing to hide. I welcome an investigation that will be done by an independent body so that we'll know who is fabricating allegations.)

"Para rin lumabas ang totoo na puro fabricated, bloated at baseless ang black propaganda ni Trillanes. Diyan naman siya magaling — na-perfect na niya ang art of black propaganda. Sayang ang oras natin sa kanya," he added.

(This will also prove that Trillanes' black propaganda are all fabricated, bloated, and baseless. He already perfected the art of black propaganda. We are wasting our time on him.)

Last Monday, Trillanes, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, accused the President and his long-time aide and now senator, Go, of committing plunder amounting to around P6.6 billion over government contracts won by the construction firm owned by the lawmaker’s father.

Trillanes said Duterte and Go cannot get away with his plunder accusations as his claims were backed by the COA documents that he acquired.

In his latest public address, Duterte brushed off Trillanes' accusations, saying the former senator and incumbent Senator Manny Pacquiao only wanted to hold power because they have seen an opportunity for themselves.

Meanwhile, Go called Trillanes’ accusations as rehashed lies, saying 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.

The lawmaker maintained that the transactions went through public bidding and proper procurement procedures, adding he never allowed his family to ask him for favors.

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