Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV lodged plunder and graft complaints at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go, concerning P6.6 billion worth of infrastructure projects from the previous administration.
According to an ABS-CBN News report, the complaints also named Go’s father, Deciderio, and his half-brother, Alfredo, as co-conspirators. Both are allegedly contractors for projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
In addition, Trillanes filed a complaint citing violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against Duterte and Go.
Trillanes referred to Commission on Audit documents in his complaint, highlighting that Deciderio’s CTLG Builders was awarded 125 public works projects from 2007 to 2018, totaling P4.89 billion. Similarly, Alfredo’s Alfrego Builders and Supply secured 59 projects between 2000 and 2018, amounting to P1.74 billion. The complaint alleges that these companies were unqualified to bid for large-scale projects under the Contractor’s License Law.
“Clearly enough, there is a concurrence of all the elements of plunder in this case,” Trillanes stated in the complaint.
When asked about the specific amounts allegedly pocketed by the respondents from the P6.6 billion contracts, Trillanes responded, “Yun na yun, bawat cheke na na-receive nila, saan pa dederecho iyon, sa pamilya iyon.”
He further emphasized, “Kasi pagka-beneficiary ka at pamilya mo, first degree ito ah consanguinity so maliwanag po iyan, walang lusot dito.”
Trillanes also highlighted the close relationship between Duterte and Go, noting, “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.”
Based on this information, Trillanes urged the National Prosecution Service of the DOJ to initiate a preliminary investigation and subsequently file cases in court.
Trillanes has been an outspoken critic of Duterte, particularly concerning the controversial war on drugs, which he helped bring to the attention of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
