Bong Go: 'I do not know the Discayas'

Senator Bong Go on Thursday urged contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya to "tell the truth" as he maintained that he has no connections with them nor their flood control projects.

This developed as Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said his office and the Ombudsman are now looking into the possible ties of the Discayas to the CLTG Builders—a Davao City-based company owned by Go's father.

In a press conference, Go expressed belief that he was being "targeted" amid the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects. 

"Hindi ko po kilala ang mga Discaya, wala po akong kinalaman sa kanila at wala po akong pakialam sa mga Discaya," the senator said. 

(I don't know the Discayas, I have nothing to do with them and I don't care about the Discayas.) 

The senator said he is one with the Filipino people in the fight against corruption and that he is open to any probe regarding the matter. 

"I welcome any investigation. Let the facts speak for themselves. Wala akong tinatago, wala akong kinatatakutan dahil wala akong kasalanan. Hindi ako sangkot sa anumang anomalya," Go said. 

(I welcome any investigation. Let the facts speak for themselves. I'm not hiding anything, I fear nothing because I didn't commit any offense. I am not involved in any anomaly.)

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Discayas have refused to disclose details of their partnership with CLTG Builders.

The Discaya couple have also said they will no longer cooperate with the Marcos-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is probing the anomalous flood control projects.

'Complainant'

Go said that he is willing to be a complainant himself if there are any links between his relatives and the Discayas. 

“Kung may pagkakamali o pagkukulang man ang kamag-anak ko, ako na mismo ang magpapakaso at magpapakulong po sa kanila,” Go said. 

(If my relatives erred or had any shortcoming, I will be the one to file a case and have them jailed.) 

“Wala pa ako sa mundong ito, may negosyo na ang pamilya ko. Ang tanong po diyan, nakialam ba ako, binigyan ko ba ng pabor ang aking kamag-anak? Hindi. Nakinabang ba ako sa negosyo nila? Hindi because I observe delicadeza,” he added. 

(My family already has a business even before I was born. The question is, did I interfere with their business? Did I do my relatives any favor? Nope. Did I benefit from their business? No, because I observe delicadeza.) 

Go also shrugged off claims that the Discayas are protecting him. 

“Panagutin natin ang dapat managot. Wag tayong lumihis, ano ‘to may cover up? Ano ‘to para ilihis ang atensyon sa totoong may kasalanan? Totoo lamang po. I am for accountability," Go said.

"Dapat panagutin ang dapat managot. Please lang, nakikiusap po ako, let's make those responsible, let’s make them accountable for all this mess,” he added.

(Let's hold those responsible accountable. Let's not deviate from the real issue, what's this, a cover up? To divert attention from the real culprit? I want  the truth. I am for accountability. Please, I'm begging you, let's make those responsible, accountable for all this mess.) —VDV/NB, GMA Integrated News