Press Release
August 26, 2021

Fight against corruption remains relentless as Bong Go asks COA, Ombudsman to audit, investigate, file cases against erring officials

In his opening statement during a hearing conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Wednesday, August 25, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized that the Duterte Administration's fight against corruption is unflinching and remains relentless. He said that President Rodrigo Duterte does not tolerate even a whiff of corruption in this government.

"Iyan rin ang ipinangako ni Pangulong Duterte noon. Wala kaming pinapalampas. Kahit sino ka man, kahit saan ka man nanggaling, kahit tumulong ka pa noong election kay Pangulong Duterte, kapag pumasok ka sa korapsyon, yari ka talaga," he said.

"Even on a mere whiff of corruption, kahit sino ka pa, walang lugar sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang korapsyon at katiwalian sa gobyerno. Pareho kaming galit sa mga magnanakaw. Masagasaan na po ang dapat masagasaan, wala kaming pakialam," added Go.

Furthermore, Go also expressed his full support to the inquiry on the use of COVID-19 related funds. "I am one with the chairman and my colleagues in ensuring no funds are lost to corruption. Silipin natin ang dapat silipin. Silipin natin upang lumabas ang katotohanan at magkaroon ng kaliwanagan ang mga issue," he said.

Go also urged the COA and Ombudsman to audit and investigate not only DOH and the DBM but all government agencies in order for the truth to come out.

"Para matigil na po ang mga haka-haka dahil unfair ito sa mga nagtatrabaho ng matino na nadadawit base sa mga obserbasyon pa lamang," he said."

Despite being supportive of the administration, he recommended that cases be filed against officials proven to be involved in corrupt practices saying that there are no sacred cows in Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

"May proseso tayong dapat sundin. Hindi po tayo papayag na masayang ang oras at pagod ng mga nagtatrabaho ng maayos sa gobyerno dahil lang sa mga haka-haka at intriga. Kailangan mapatunayan na may anomalya kung mayroon man para makasuhan na agad at makulong ang sinumang may sala," he said.

The Senator also emphasized that while the whole country is focused on overcoming COVID-19, that does not mean this administration has lost sight of other equally important battles that the President has promised to overcome, specifically the battle against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.

"Kung may korapsyon o anomalyang mapatunayan ay dapat mananagot ang salarin. Iyan ang isa sa pangunahing campaign promise ng Pangulong Duterte - campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption."

"Tuluy-tuloy lang at hindi po titigil ang kampanya namin ni Pangulong Duterte laban sa korapsyon. Whether I like it or not, iisa lang kami ni Pangulo, iisa ang hangarin namin sa Pilipinas at parehas ang aming prinsipyo," he continued.

Given his closeness to the President, Go shared that President Duterte has one main directive to his appointees — to do what is right and avoid corruption.

"Ang pangunahing bilin ng Pangulo sa kanyang mga ina-appoint: Just do what is right and avoid corruption. 'Pag ginagawa mo ang tama at inuuna mo ang interes ng mga Pilipino, suportado ka namin," Go shared.

"Maaaring, maraming na-appoint ang Pangulo na taga-Davao pero ito ay dahil kilala sila ng Pangulo, siya ay may tiwala sa kanila at alam ang kanilang kakayahan. Pero kahit na may utang na loob si Pangulo sa inyo, wala sa usapan ang korapsyon. Kasi kung gusto mo talagang tumulong sa administrasyon, gagawin mo lang po ang tama," he added.

Meanwhile, Go clarified that former DBM Usec. Lloyd Lao was never his aide, despite other claims. "Kailanman ay hindi ko naging aide si Usec. Lao. He was appointed to the Presidential Management Staff at the start of President Duterte's term until early 2017. After which, he was appointed to HLURB and later to the DBM in 2019 before resigning last June of this year. Usec. Lao did not directly report to me nor did he ever serve as my aide," explained Go.

"I already assumed my post in July 2019 as an elected Senator when Lao was designated to head the PS-DBM in August 2019," he added.

Go, who is the former Special Assistant to the President, mentioned that he merely exercised oversight over various offices in Malacañang including the Presidential Management Staff.

"I was not involved in the day-to-day operations and management of Lao's office. Limitado ang aking oversight function sa pagsisigurong naipapatupad ang mga sistema at proseso. May sari-sarili silang head kung saan sila nagre-report. Napakalaki po ng opisina diyan sa Malacañang," he clarified.

"Hindi ibig sabihin na porke't nakatrabaho ko sya dulot ng aking oversight function ay naging aide ko na sya. Iba ang aide, iba ang nakatrabaho. Lahat ng mga nagre-report sa Malacañang compound noon ay katrabaho ko, pero hindi ibig sabihin na naging aide ko rin ang ilang libong empleyado doon," he added.

Ending his remarks, Go reminded government agencies that especially during the pandemic, time and money are critical. Therefore, these must be used prudently and efficiently. "Nananawagan po ako sa inyo, alam ko po hirap na po kayo, sa DOH — huwag ninyo pong sayangin ang inyong naisakripisyo," urged the Senator.

Go then said that he hopes the discussions in the hearing will lead to a positive outcome and fruitful resolution of the issues particularly on the payment of allowances to health workers and the improvement of the utilization of funds of the government.

"Dahil kawawa po ang Pilipino, sila po ang nagmamakaawa sa tulong ng gobyerno," he said.

"Kung may kakulangan man po, dapat iwasto ito agad, klaruhin po ang dapat klaruhin, mabayaran po ang hindi pa po nabayaran. Ang mga unobligated funds sana ay magastos sa tama. Pagbutihin ninyo ang inyong trabaho po," he ended.

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