REJECT private talk instead seek an "open and transparent" investigation into the controversial P15.7-billion frigate deal, President Rodrigo Duterte told his special aide, Christopher "Bong" Go on Friday, February 9.
Amid the impending Senate probe into the shady frigate project, Duterte revealed that a closed-door meeting was offered to Go to allow him to speak confidently about his supposed knowledge in the selection of warships' combat management systems (CMS) supplier.
"There's a planned Senate investigation. He was told, 'It's fine since it's an executive session anyway,'" Duterte said during the Manila Times business forum in Davao City.
"I said, 'Don't do it, Bong. Demand an open and transparent public hearing... Don't agree to a secret meeting there. It should be face-to-face,'" he added.
Go has been accused of intervening in the multi-billion-peso frigate acquisition project of the Philippine Navy. He has reportedly endorsed South Korean bidder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) as supplier of warships' CMS.
Duterte's top aide has since denied the allegation.
The President has also repeatedly defended Go, saying that his special aide will never meddle in the controversial project.
Go's supposed intervention has sparked controversy and triggered calls in the Senate to look into the questionable deal.
Duterte advised Go to clear his name and prove that he has nothing to do with the selection of the supplier.
"Tell them, 'That did not happen. I haven't seen [the project].' He really did not see the paper. It's a military [project]. Why will he interfere?" Duterte said.
MalacaƱang earlier said Go could not, in any way, meddle because HHI was picked as the winning bidder on June 9, 2016. It thus said that the Duterte government's role was merely "ministerial" as it would merely issue a notice of award for the South Korean firm. (SunStar Philippines)