MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he personally acted on the complaint of South Korean firm Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) regarding the Philippine Navy’s multibillion-peso frigate system deal.
Duterte said he gave the letter to his top aide Bong Go and asked him to “give it to legal.” Lawyers, in turn, referred the letter to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Go has been accused of intervening in the selection of the combat management system (CMS) for the two HHI-built frigates of the Philippine Navy. This was earlier denied by Malacañang and Lorenzana.
Go allegedly favored another South Korean firm, Hanwha Systems, to provide the CMS for the warships.
Well, after this admission by President Duterte, expect the issue to be the subject of a scandal investigation. Like Watergate involving former U.S. President Richard Nixon. Except that there would be no need to give a name to the multibillion-peso scandal. It speaks for itself: Frigate.