The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday, Oct. 28, denied sending out an invitation to Senator Christopher "Bong" Go to serve as resource person in its hearings on flood control project anomalies.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka refuted the claim made by former senator Sonny Trillanes, who said he received information that Go had already been invited by the ICI, but the senator refused to attend the hearing unless accompanied by Senators Imee Marcos and Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.
“No invitation has been sent by the commission to Senator Bong Go to appear as resource person,” Hosaka told reporters in an interview.
On Oct. 24, Trillanes said he submitted a copy of the graft and plunder complaint that he filed before the Office of the Ombudsman to ICI.
Hosaka, in a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 28, confirmed receiving a copy of Trillanes’ complaint.
"We received a letter. It is now going to be forwarded to the commission," Hosaka said.
Prior to this, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said he was ordered by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla to look into the possible connection between the controversial Discaya couple and the construction firm of Go's father in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.
Dizon said he and Remulla talked about the move following contractors Curlee and Sarah Discayas' withdrawal of cooperation in the ongoing ICI investigation.
Remulla, in an online interview, said bluntly that he thinks the Discayas "[have] been protecting Bong Go, the joint venture they had with the CLTG, with the family of Bong Go".
According to a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report, CLTG is owned by Go's father and the half-brother. The firm had also bagged P4.6 billion worth of projects from the DPWH in the past decade, according to PCIJ.