MALACAÑANG SEES the controversy over the Philippine Navy’s warship deal allegedly involving Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go as Rappler.com’s “defense by way of an offense.” At a press briefing in Legazpi City, Albay, on Jan. 18, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. said of the news site: “Let me start by saying that this allegation against Special Adviser to the President Bong Go appears to be defense by way of an offense. Please note that this allegation came out immediately after the decision of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) declaring that Rappler, Inc. and Rappler Holding violated ownership rules of the Constitution on mass media companies.” For his part, Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II called for “Rappler’s active participation in the NBI’s (National Bureau of Investigation’s) investigation” as it “will greatly help in bringing out the truth.” — Arjay L. Balinbin and Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz
