Palace says probe on Go up to Senate

Malacañang yesterday distanced itself from the Senate resolution calling for a probe on the government deals bagged by the relatives of public officials and employees including President Duterte’s aide Christopher “Bong” Go.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, an outspoken critic of Duterte, has filed a resolution seeking an investigation on the possible conflict of interest arising from the government contracts.

Trillanes called for the probe after the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reported that CLTG Builders, a firm owned by Go’s father Desiderio, was one of the companies with the most number of public infrastructure projects in the Davao region.

Go has denied meddling with the procurement processes and has vowed to resign if anyone proves that he was involved in corruption.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said it would be up to the Senate to decide whether to investigate the findings of the report.

“That’s a resolution that should be acted upon by the Senate. We cannot interfere with it, because the Senate has plenary powers to conduct its own Senate investigations,” Roque said in a press briefing.

“I’m not aware of any conflict of interest on the part of anyone, and I’m sure SAP (Special Assistant to the President) Bong Go can very well defend himself,” he added.