SBG won’t dignify Parlade’s tirades against him, PDU30

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, refused to dignify the claim by former Southern Luzon (Solcom) area commander and now retired Philippine Army general, Antonio Parlade Jr., that he ‘controls’ the decision being made by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ayaw ko na pong makipagsagutan kay Gen. Parlade dahil nirerespeto ko siya,” said Go, several minutes after hearing the criticisms against him issued by Parlade.

“At sa katunayan  nakakausap ko naman po siya. Isa rin po ako sa nagrekomenda sa kanya na maging Undersecretary ni Sec. Esperon at alam nila ang katotohanan,” the lawmaker said.

The solon was referring to Parlade’s immediate appointment by Pres. Duterte, right after his retirement, as deputy director general at the National Security Council (NSC), which is headed by National Security Adviser and former Armed Forces (AFP) chief, Hermogenes Esperon.

Prior to this, Parlade also served as one of the spokespersons of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which also has the full backing of Go.

Go made the statement after Parlade, who retired from the military last July 26, 2021, said during his media interview last November 15, 2021 that he would not want to be “aligned” with the President’s most trusted aide.

“I cannot align with Senator Bong Go. I’m sorry, but kasama siya sa problema ng bayan…
“… Wala akong rift kay Senator Bong Go; I just don’t like the way he does things, including controlling the decisions of the President,” Parlade said during his interview.

Go, however, simply played down Parlade’s statements, noting it is already the political season.

“Umiinit na po ang pulitika pero hayaan natin ang taumbayan ang humusga pagdating ng panahon.

“Katulad ng sinabi ko, mas kailangan nating tutukan ang pagtulong sa ating kapwa Pilipino habang tayo’y unti-unti bumabangon mula sa krisis na ito,” Go said, referring to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parlade last November 15 filed his candidacy for president at the Commission on Elections (Comelec), two days after Go also changed his certificate of candidacy from vice-president to president, accompanied by Pres. Duterte.

Parlade is the substitute candidate for Antonio Valdez of the Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP), while Go is now the official candidate of a faction of the PDP-Laban.

Go also stressed that what he is merely doing is ensuring that Pres. Duterte’s decisions are faithfully carried out as in the case of the increase in the salaries and benefits of the country’s uniformed services.

“Halimbawa, nabanggit kanina ni Gen. Parlade maraming mga desisyon at isa narito ang pagdoble at pagtaas ng suweldo ng ating mga uniformed personnel na nakabuti sa morale ng lahat ng kasapi ng Armed Forces, PNP, Bureau of Fire (Protection), BJMP at Coast Guard,” said Go.

He also referred to Pres. Duterte’s statement also on November 16, denying he is prone to be influenced by others when making decisions.

“Nasagot na mismo ni Pangulong  Duterte na walang nagkokontrol sa kanya, may mga statement siya, siya mismo ang nagsabi na hindi naman siya magiging pangulo kung pinapaikot lang siya ng ibang tao.”

‘President Duterte is his own man’—Lorenzana

In a clear rebuff to his former subordinate, Department of National Defense (DND) secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, said Parlade’s comments are groundless.

“In the years I have known the President, he has always been his own man. The President stands by his own decisions, has always been firm in his directives to us who are working for him, and is not as easily swayed or influenced by others as purported by the general,” Lorenzana said in a statement on November 16, 2021.

According to Sec. Lorenzana, Go has assisted the DND in ensuring the doubling of the salaries of the uniformed personnel as directed by the President.

Lorenzana added the lawmaker has also been consistent in strongly supporting DND in all its programs and modernization efforts.

“In all these endeavors, Bong Go’s support to the DND and AFP has not abated. He has always been our main bridge to the President and I have not known any instance when SBG acted outside the wishes and decisions of the President,” Lorenzana emphasized.

Lorenzana added that the AFP remains a professional organization that continues to work in the interest of the Filipino people, regardless of the prevailing political landscape.

“There is no truth to the allegations that there is brewing trouble or discontent in the AFP,” Lorenzana added further.