Sen. Bong Go has expressed full support for investigations into alleged irregularities in government infrastructure projects but denied any involvement or connection with the Discaya contractors.
Speaking at a press conference in the Senate on Thursday, Go said he welcomes any probe, stressing that he has no part in any anomaly and has always acted in service to the Filipino people.
‘I welcome any investigation; let the facts speak for themselves,’ he said. ‘I have nothing to hide and nothing to fear because I did nothing wrong.’
Go urged authorities, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Office of the Ombudsman, to focus their efforts on identifying and holding accountable the real masterminds.
He warned against political maneuvering to divert the truth, saying, ‘The people are waiting for those truly responsible to be held accountable.’
The senator denied any personal or business ties with the Discayas, saying his name is being unfairly dragged into the issue.
Go emphasized that he has always observed delicadeza and never interfered in government transactions, even those involving relatives.
He noted that the issue involving the Discayas has resurfaced repeatedly, especially during election periods, and accused certain groups of reviving baseless allegations to smear his name.
‘Don’t smear me with dirt just to make yourselves look clean,’ he said in Filipino.
Go reiterated his support for the ongoing investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the ombudsman and other agencies, urging them to ‘let the truth come out’ and ‘go after those truly responsible.’
He also warned against attempts to twist facts and use political attacks as a distraction.
‘Some forces are working to distort the truth so the real culprits escape accountability,’ he said, adding that he trusts Filipinos to discern political noise from facts.
‘I have stood by the people through disasters and crises. I earned their trust through action, not words,’ Go said. ‘I will never waste that trust. Let’s stand by the truth.’
Immunity rejected
Acting Senate Blue Ribbon committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo rejected the possibility of allowing alleged players in the multibillion-peso flood control scam to turn state witness, saying those most deeply involved should not be absolved of guilt.
Tulfo was referring to developments before the ICI, where top contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya have refused to fully cooperate after their bid for state witness was quashed.
‘Whether they cooperate or not in the Senate Blue Ribbon hearings, I don’t care, because they are the most guilty,’ Tulfo told dwIZ in Filipino, when asked about the pair’s refusal to testify in the remaining Senate hearings on the flood control controversy.
‘Maybe they can be given protection if they testify, but to be made state witnesses and be absolved of their crimes? That’s too much. They committed the wrongdoing, they got all the money and then they walk free?’ he added. ‘I don’t know where the idea came from to make these crooks state witnesses. It’s just common sense – they stole public funds, and you want to clear them? That’s stupidity.’
Tulfo also denounced any plan to grant immunity to key suspects, including Brice Hernandez, Henry Alcantara and Jaypee Mendoza.
‘That would be a slap in the face of the Filipino people. They stole from us, and now you’ll make them state witnesses? I will never agree to that,’ he said.