Duterte denies he was ‘controlled’ by Bong Go

Duterte denied President Rodrigo Duterte denied the allegation of retired Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade controlled that Sen. Bong Go made his decisions.

The President explained that as chairman of the Senate committee on health, he needed to Go in his weekly meeting with some cabinet members.

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But this does not mean that he is controlled by the senator.

“Kailangan ko si Bong actually, hindi sa lahat. Because Bong is the chairperson sa Senate committee on health and demography. (Senate committee on) Health, kanya eh so mabuti na lang siya nandito. But he does not control anybody, he does not control me. He is here to do his duty na may matanungan tayo kaagad,” said Duterte.

(I need Bong, actually, but not in everything. Because Bong is the chairperson of the Senate committee on health and demography. (Senate Committee on) Health, he’s so good he’s here. But he does not control anybody, he does not control me. He is here to do his duty that we have to ask right away.)

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Parlade protested against Bong Go and accused him of controlling the President’s decisions.

Parlade filed his candidacy for the presidency on Monday, ahead of the candidates’ substitution deadline.

Also read: Deployment cap on medical workers questioned in Senate

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Duterte denies he was ‘controlled’ by Bong Go

Go, and even Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana immediately denied this, saying the former general’s allegations were baseless.

“Ako po ay nagulat din kung bakit nadawit ‘yung pangalan ko doon… Tinawagan ko siya [at tinanong] kung bakit sinasali niya ako sa kanyang political ambition… General Parlade’s statement is baseless,” said Lorenzana.

(I was also surprised why my name was involved there … I called him [and asked] why he included me in his political ambition. Therefore, General Parlade’s statement is baseless.)

On Tuesday, Parlade spoke out and said he was not criticizing Bong Go.

Parlade is known for his role in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC, where he became controversial over alleged red-tagging.

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