The political landscape of the Philippines has been rocked by a seismic explosion of accusations after a powerful sitting senator, Bong Go, launched an aggressive counter-offensive against his critics, vehemently denying any involvement in government anomalies and instead pointing a finger at what he calls the true “masterminds” behind a massive, multi-billion-peso corruption scheme.

In a dramatic public statement, the Senator, known for his close political ties to the previous administration, demanded that the ongoing investigation cease its “circuitous” path and immediately target the real culprits—a shadowy network of lawmakers he branded as “Crocodile Cong-Tractors.”

The Mastermind Hunt: “Hit the Crocodile”

Senator Go’s central thesis is that the investigation into widespread corruption—specifically involving “ghost projects” and substandard public works, such as flood control projects—is being deliberately derailed. He suggests that powerful, unseen forces are attempting to shift the focus away from the current, significant cases and toward peripheral issues or even past administrations, all with the singular goal of protecting those at the very top.

“Let us not beat around the bush,” Go declared. “Do not try to deceive the Filipino people. We must strike at those who truly deserve to be struck. We must hit the real mastermind. We were getting closer. We were moving toward the masterminds.”

He did not mince words when describing the corruption figures, repeatedly using the Tagalog term “buwaya,” which translates to “crocodile,” a metaphor for insatiable greed and ravenous public abuse. The target of this label was shockingly specific: Congressmen who are secretly operating as government contractors.

“There are so many Congressmen who are themselves the contractors,” Go alleged. “They are the contractors themselves. The real contractors are them.” This explosive claim suggests that members of the legislative body—those tasked with crafting laws and budgets—are simultaneously engineering illicit profit through government projects, a profound breach of public trust that fundamentally undermines the democratic process.

The Ultimate Test: A Pledge to Prosecute His Own

Facing accusations of being a potential protector or beneficiary of this deep-seated corruption, particularly concerning his past association with the previous administration, Senator Go made a dramatic, headline-grabbing pledge designed to strip his defense of all political doubt.

He offered to willingly cooperate with all investigating bodies, including the Ombudsman and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to uncover the truth. But his challenge went a step further, crossing a personal line few politicians would dare to touch.

“If there is any mistake or shortcoming on the part of my relative, I myself will file the case and have them incarcerated,” Go stated emphatically. “I am willing to be the complainant if there are any shortcomings. Even my own relative, I don’t care. If they are at fault, they should be charged.”

This unprecedented move—dramatically wagering the freedom of his own family—serves as a potent political weapon, aiming to demonstrate his complete commitment to ethical conduct and his rejection of the status quo that often protects high-ranking officials and their kin from legal consequences. It is a calculated act of delikadesa (propriety and ethical behavior) designed to showcase his moral high ground against the backdrop of pervasive scandal.

The Political Derailment: Shifting the Blame

The core of Go’s defense is his assertion that the investigation is a coordinated attempt to shift the narrative and protect the “masterminds.” He argued that the current focus should remain on the most significant, ongoing anomalies, which he placed squarely in the 2022 to 2025 timeframe.

He warned that “forces are moving” to distort the truth, attempting to link current scandals to the previous administration—a claim he said lacks basis. Go insisted that if there was any corruption during the previous term, the former President himself acted swiftly to remove those involved.

“Why are you backing away now?” Go challenged the investigating bodies. “The investigation is straying so far that it seems like a cover-up is happening. The issue here is the flood control projects and the ghost projects. Why are you retreating now?”

He pointed to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, stating that evidence of the corruption hierarchy was already emerging, climbing “higher and higher” up the political food chain. The move to redirect the probe, he argued, is a clear sign that the real “masterminds”—the “crocodiles” who are still in power and benefitting from the schemes—are feeling the pressure and initiating a counter-attack.

The Delikadesa Defense and the Family History

In addressing specific allegations, Go confirmed that his family had a history in contracting, notably through a joint venture between CLTG and St. Gerard Construction, which had secured contracts in Davao. However, he quickly moved to neutralize the claim by invoking the principle of delikadesa.

He stressed that he never used his position, even during his time working under the former President and as a senator, to influence any government transaction for his family’s benefit.

“I observe delikadesa,” Go repeated. “That is my principle in life, and I will never waste the trust you have given me.” He further clarified that his family’s construction business had been officially retired since 2022, well before the current scandals exploded, and insisted that the projects they undertook were completed and non-anomalous.

Despite the political attacks and the possibility of being subpoenaed by the very investigating bodies he is challenging, Senator Go concluded with a passionate plea to the nation: to not be fooled by the attempts to derail the truth, and to ensure that justice is served to the real “masterminds” who have preyed upon public funds. His fiery defense has ensured that the corruption probe is no longer a mere bureaucratic investigation but a full-blown political war, with the credibility and integrity of the country’s entire legislative branch hanging in the balance.