Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday, Oct. 21, denounced the updated plunder and graft complaints filed against him and former President Rodrigo Duterte by former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, calling it a recycled smear campaign meant to divert attention from the real issues surrounding anomalous flood control projects.
Trillanes filed the revised complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, naming Duterte, Go, and two businessmen—Deciderio Lim Go and Alfred Armero Go, owners of CLTG Builders and Alfrego Builders & Supply—as respondents.
He alleged that the four should be held liable for the irregular award of infrastructure projects worth P6.95 billion from 2007 to 2018, citing violations of Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder) and RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
The complaint follows an earlier filing on July 5, 2024, which was dismissed without prejudice by then Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who said further investigation could proceed if new documents or circumstances warranted it.
Trillanes responded by revising the complaint, asserting that CLTG Builders—whose name allegedly reflects Bong Go’s initials—and Alfrego Builders received a disproportionate number of sizable government contracts, particularly during Go’s tenure as Duterte’s special assistant.
Trillanes claimed that CLTG Builders entered a joint venture with St. Gerrard Construction, owned by contractor-couple Curlee and Sara Discaya, to secure P816 million worth of contracts between 2016 and 2022.
He also pointed out that Go’s father and half-brother were behind the companies, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Go, however, dismissed the allegations as recycled attacks. “So rehash lang, paninira lang talaga,” he said in a press briefing.
“I have been expecting this complaint and now we are in the proper forum to prove the baselessness of his allegations.”
He emphasized that his family had been in business long before he entered public service and that he had prohibited them from engaging in government contracts since assuming office. “If there are anomalies, sue the people involved. Ako pa mismo, willing akong kasuhan kahit kapamilya ko,” Go said.
He also accused Trillanes of deflecting from the core issue of identifying the real perpetrators behind questionable flood control projects.
“Nililihis niya ang usapan. Paulit-ulit na lang,” Go added, vowing to cooperate with the investigation and abide by legal processes.
“I believe the truth will be revealed and justice and fairness will prevail,” he said. (Hannah L. Torregoza, Czarina Ong Ki)
