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Trillanes: Paras a diversion; Go, Duterte must answer COA audit report

Philippines | National

Trillanes: Paras a diversion; Go, Duterte must answer COA audit report

By Mario Casayuran

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday, July 8 slammed Presidential Adviser Jacinto ‘’Jing’’ Paras as ‘’irrelevant and insignificant’’ in the on-going verbal war between him (Trllanes) and Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go.

This followed Trillanes’ allegations that Go and President Duterte may be held liable for the award of P6.6 billion worth of questionable infrastructure contracts in Davao city and Davao region to Go’s father and half-brother when Duterte was still the Davao City mayor.

Replying, Paras said this allegation had no basis. "'Wag nating tuunan ng pansin’’ (Let's not pay attention to it),’’ he added.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque confirmed today Paras’ appointment as Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs.

Paras, a former Negros Oriental congressman and former presidential assistant under the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, also called the Trillanes "dumbo," "stupid", "the most corrupt senator that ever lives", and "Trililing".

The last tag is a play on the former senator's surname, meant to mock him as mentally unstable.

In a text message sent today to Senate reporters, Trillanes said that ‘’their actions and responses show that they cannot directly confront the allegations against them.’’

‘’ Iniiba ang usapan (they are changing the subject). Ang bottomlime is, according to COA (Commission on Audit) documents, nag-award (Duterte awarded 184 contracts to the construction company of Go’s father and brother. The projects had a total value of P6.6 billion), This is a clear case of plunder,’’ he pointed out.

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