Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV files plunder and graft complaints at the DOJ against former president Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go in connection with a total of P6.6 billion government projects. Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday filed plunder and graft complaints at the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Bong Go in connection with P6.6 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the previous administration.

• Trillanes thanks Supreme Court, blasts Duterte admin on amnesty revocation

The complaints included Go’s father Deciderio and half-brother Alfredo, who are supposedly contractors of projects involving the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Trillanes also included a complaint of violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against Duterte and Sen. Go.

Citing Commission on Audit documents, Trillanes noted in the complaint that Deciderio's CTLG Builders was awarded 125 public works projects from  2007 to 2018 worth P4.89 billion.

Alfredo's Alfrego Builders and Supply bagged 59 projects from 2007 to 2018 amounting to 1.74 billion.

The companies were allegedly not qualified to bid for big-ticket projects under the Contractor’s License Law.

“Clearly enough, there is a concurrence of all the elements of plunder in this case,” Trillanes said in the complaint.

Asked how much the respondents supposedly pocketed from the P6.6 billion contracts, Trillanes said, “Yun na yun, bawat cheke na na-receive nila, saan pa dederecho iyon, saan pa dederecho iyon, sa pamilya iyon.” 

“Kasi pagka-beneficiary ka at pamilya mo, first degree ito ah consanguinity so maliwanag po iyan, walang lusot dito,” he added.

In the complaint, Trillanes also noted that close relationship between the former president and Senator Go.

“The very close and intimate personal and official relationship between Respondent Go and Respondent Duterte, whom he fondly call as 'Tatay Digong', is widely and publicly known and universally acknowledged,” he said.

Based on his information, Trillanes asked the National Prosecution Service of the DOJ to initiate a preliminary investigation and subsequent filing of cases before the courts.

Trillanes has been a vocal critic of Duterte, particularly the bloody war on drugs, which he helped brought up to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Go, who said he has yet to see the complaint, said in a statement that there is no truth to these accusations

“Nevertheless, I welcome these moves to finally put an end to these often-recycled issues against us. Mabuti nang silipin sa mga akusasyong ito, may irregularity ba talaga? May naging transaksyon ba na disadvantageous sa government? May nanakaw ba? At may linkages ba sa akin na nagsasabing nakinabang ako sa anumang transaksyong ito? COA can find out. And, if there is, it is for COA to file the necessary charges,” he said.

According to Go, his family has never benefitted from his political position.

“For the record, wala pa ako sa mundong ito ay meron nang negosyo ang pamilya ko. Ang sinisigurado ko, hindi ako nakinabang at hindi nakinabang ang pamilya ko sa pagiging taong gobyerno ko. Kahit ipagtanong pa ninyo, ni hindi makalapit ang mga kamag-anak ko sa akin—kahit ang sarili kong tatay at half-brother—para ilakad ang anumang proyekto o kontrata sa gobyerno,” he said.

He also accused Trillanes of reviving the issue because of the upcoming elections.

“Sa totoo lang, lumang tugtugin na ito. Taong 2018 pa ang akusasyon na iyan. Ni-recycle pa nila noong 2021. Pero wala pa rin siyang napatunayan. Ngayong papasok na naman ang halalan sa 2025, nag-iingay na naman siya upang mapag-usapan. Gusto lang nila kaming kulayan ng itim para sila ang pumuti. Tatapunan ka nila ng putik para magmukha kang marumi at sila ay magmistulang malinis,” Go said.

“Naging tradisyon na ng iba ang manira tuwing nalalapit ang eleksyon. Parang negosyo na nila iyan para kumita o makilala. Ang tanong, sino kaya ang iba pang nasa likod ng black ops niyang ito? Baka ang dapat na silipin ay ang mga nakapaligid sa kanya,” he added.

Atty. Salvador Panelo, who was Duterte’s chief legal adviser during his presidency, said both Go and Duterte never took advantage of their government positions to help friends, relatives and allies.

“The two have never used their positions and influence to help friends, relatives and allies to get government contracts. They abhor such practice and anathema to their character,” he said.

 “Senator Go and FPRRD welcome any judicial inquiry on their actuations as government officials. They have served with integrity, dedication and always protective of the people’s interest during their stint in the previous dispensation. Senator Go has not deviated from the honest path of governance he has traversed, and continues to serve the people fealty to his oath of office as a senator,” Panelo added.

He likewise accused Trillanes of using the issue for his own gain.

“Once again, the discredited rebel renegade is on his publicity stunt of spreading malicious and false accusation intended to get media mileage for his 2025 election bid for either a local or national position,” Panelo said.

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