Duterte criticizes Rappler for Go story

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, January 16, dressed down online news site Rappler over its report accusing Special Assistant President Christopher “Bong” Go of intervening in the procurement of the Philippine Navy’s brand new P15-billion frigates.

Duterte rebuked Rappler reporter Pia Ranada during a chance interview on the sidelines of an event in Pasay City for the news firm’s report titled “Bong Go intervenes in P15.5-B project to acquire PH warships” and published Tuesday.

During the interview, the President presented a copy of Rappler’s article, which was written by its journalist, Carmela Fonbuena, with Ranada’s contribution.

According to the Rappler report, it obtained documents showing that in January 2017, Go endorsed to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana a supplier for the Combat Management System that will be installed in the warships.

Duterte defended Go, saying that his special aide has nothing to do with the controversial project.

He also told Ranada that her “inquisitive mind goes beyond its normal

proportion.”

“Look at your daily dose of your medicine. ‘Bong Go intervenes in the 15 billion (worth of project)?’ Who gives you an idea he can intervene? Where is his signature? Where is his statement? And where is your even, a point of reference?” the President asked.

“I won’t brag but frankly, he (Go) is a billionaire. Go to Davao and ask who he is. This kind (of article), it seems to appear that he’s intervening because of what? Money? The things that you are telling here never happened,” he said.

Prior to Duterte’s remark, Go had denied his supposed intervention in the slection of the weapons system supplier.