MANILA — Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday came in defense of Special Assistant to the President Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, saying the latter is a man of integrity with no stain of corruption.
During the ongoing Senate inquiry into frigate acquisition, Zubiri said Go has been doing his job “judiciously and religiously” even when he was still assistant of then mayor and congressman and now President Rodrigo Duterte.
“He never asked for fixers’ fee. He just did his job judiciously and religiously and he did it well,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri assured Go, his fellow Mindanaoan, of the senator’s support against fake news.
“Secretary Go, don’t worry, we are also victims of fake news. You have my support as a man of integrity,” Zubiri, a lawmaker from Bukidnon, said.
In his opening statement, Go said the PHP18-billion Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP), including its weapon systems and munitions, has been dragged into controversy due to “fake news” following reports from Rappler and the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he intervened in the frigate project.
“Because all of this started from irresponsible reporting, I would also like to sincerely request the Senate to continue with the hearing and investigation of fake news. And you can also summon Rappler and Inquirer in the next hearing so that you can ask them on what they have written. I am not the only victim here, we are many,” Go said.
Meanwhile, Zubiri expressed his full support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the Duterte administration.
“Now is the time, under the watch of President Duterte, that we truly modernize our armed forces. I’m truly supportive of the modernization specially the frigate,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri also said the Philippines need to have its own submarine to protect the country’s vast coast line. (Jelly Musico/PNA)
