MANILA — Former Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado confirmed that Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go never interfered in the Frigate Acquisition Program (FAP).
“Secretary Bong Go never approached me to inquire and neither did he make any form of communication to influence,” Mercado during the Senate hearing on the matter Monday.
Mercado was referring to allegations that SAP Go tried to intervene in the acquisition of the combat management system for the two missile-capable frigates that are under contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries.
The FAP has a budget of PHP18 billion, including its weapon systems and munition. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
