Duterte ‘curious’ to hear SAP Go testify in frigate deal probe

FILE: President Rodrigo Duterte (SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte would be “curious” to hear the testimony of his top aide Christopher “Bong” Go in upcoming Senate probe into the controversial frigate deal, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., in a Palace briefing, said that Duterte would most likely watch the hearing on the Philippine Navy’s PHP18-billion Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) since it would be televised.

“I would think so. He would be very curious as to what would happen in that hearing. I’m sure that will be televised,” Roque said.

Roque said that he would also be in attendance to the Senate hearing.

Duterte earlier urged Go to demand an “open and transparent” Senate hearing calling on his aide not to agree to the planned executive session in the Senate.

“Sabi ko,‘yan ang ‘wag mong gawin, (I said, don’t do that) Bong. Demand an open and transparent public hearing. And demand how this came about, the original,” Duterte said.

This way, the President said details on the two suppliers for the combat management system (CMS) of the warships would be open to the public.

Go earlier denied allegations that he dipped his hands into the selection process of the CMS supplier, saying he would step down if proven that he had indeed interfered.

He reiterated that the frigate project was already a done deal during the time of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in 2016.

The acquisition of the frigates was entered into as early as June 2013 but the procurement was approved by then Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin only on June 24, 2016.