Trillanes files new plunder, graft raps vs Duterte, Go

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) another graft and plunder complaint against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go, among others.

The complaint was in connection with the P16-billion Philippine Navy frigate acquisition project during the Duterte administration.

“Ito ay ukol sa P16-billion frigate scam na kung saan nag-maniobra sina Duterte at Bong Go para paburan ang isang private contractor,” Trillanes said in an ambush interview during the filing.

(This stemmed from the P16-billion frigate scam where Duterte and Go schemed to favor a private contractor.) 

Trillanes asked the DOJ to file an information against the respondents for violation of section 2 of Republic Act (RA) 7080, violation of RA 3019, Culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. 

Among the other respondents in the complaint were former Defense undersecretary Raymundo Elefante, former Budget undersecretary Christopher Lao, and former Navy chief Admiral Robert Emperedad.

GMA News Online has sought comment from some of the respondents but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Trillanes said the procurement of the two frigates for the Philippine Navy was initiated under the Aquino administration and the contract was signed before the Duterte administration assumed office.

However, Trillanes said after the contract was awarded, the private contractor proposed changes to the agreement.

“Nagbigay ng specifications ang Philippine Navy na kung ano ang kailangan nila na gamit at ito ay dinaan sa bidding process, pero nung nanalo na sa bidding, biglang iniiba nung kontratista yung nakalagay sa napag-usapan,” Trillanes said.

(The Philippine Navy gave specifications on what it needed and it underwent a bidding process, but after that was done, the contractor suddenly changed the agreement.)

“Dahil sa kanilang contacts, in this particular case sila Bong Go at Duterte, ay pinilipit nila ‘yung kamay ng Philippine Navy para lunukin at tanggapin ‘yung pabor doon sa private contractor,” he added.

(Because of their contacts, in this particular case Bong Go and Duterte, they forced the Navy to accept the private contractor.)

According to Trillanes, the complaint was based on information gathered from a Senate investigation in 2018 as well as testimonies from officials. He said he has complete documentary and testimonial evidence to support the case.

“Mismong si Duterte ang nagsabi na nanghimasok siya doon sa kontrata na ‘yan. Sa SONA (State of the Nation Address) niya sinabi ito, na inutusan niya si Bong Go na manghimasok,” Trillanes said.

(Duterte himself admitted to intervening in the contract. He said this during SONA, that he ordered Bong Go to intervene.)

For his part, Go said this was a rehashed accusation and dubbed it “black propaganda.”

“This issue has once again been rehashed and recycled for obvious politicking purposes,” Go said in a statement.

“This is a clear case of destructive politics and sure sign of desperation out to malign me and the former president. Nevertheless, I welcome these moves to finally put an end to these lies,” he added.

Go stressed that the Senate has previously declared that there were no anomalies with the acquisition project.

He said that former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza and other officials also testified that he had no involvement in the project.

The complaint was the latest in the series filed by Trillanes against Duterte and his allies, the first being the plunder complaint against Duterte and Go in early July over supposedly anomalous projects during the previous administration.

The second complaint, filed in late July, was filed against Davao Representative Paolo Duterte, lawyer Mans Carpio, and former Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, among others, over a P6.4-billion shabu shipment that was seized in 2017.

Paolo Duterte is the former President's son and Carpio is the husband of the elder Duterte's daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Carpio, in response, accused Trillanes of politicking at the expense of innocent people. He also said Trillanes has pending libel charges for “maligning innocent people.”

Asked if they will file more complaints against Duterte and his allies, Trillanes said they are investigating more anomalies. —KBK/RF, GMA Integrated News