via Elija Philip C. Lutawan, Pressroom PH
Despite revelations that his family's construction company once partnered with firms under investigation, Senator Bong Go is urging that those responsible for anomalies in government flood control projects be held accountable.
During the Senate session on August 20, Go stressed that accountability must be pursued in light of the billions poured into flood mitigation programs.
“Sa laki ng pondong pinag-uusapan dito, hindi sapat ang audit o reporting sa mga ginagawang flood control projects. Hindi sapat ang explanasyon lang mula sa mga contractor o DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways]. Dapat po’y mayroong managot dito at dapat po’y maging accountable po sila,” Go said.
The senator’s statement came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named several construction companies that had cornered a lion’s share of flood control contracts. Among these was St. Gerrard Construction, a Pasig-based firm owned by the family of former mayoral bet Sarah Discaya.
Family business connections
The documents, however, show that the Go and Discaya families were once business partners. In 2017, CLTG Builders—a firm owned by Go’s father, Deciderio—entered into a joint venture with St. Gerrard. Together, they won five infrastructure projects in Davao Region worth more than ₱816 million (₱816,981,062.81).
Go, who was then serving as a special assistant to then-President Rodrigo Duterte, was already a key figure in the administration. His father represented the two construction firms and signed contracts with the DPWH as the “Authorized Managing Officer.”
The initials of CLTG Builders match Go’s full name — Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go.
From hundreds of millions to billions
CLTG’s partnership with St. Gerrard in 2017 marked a turning point. The company’s contracts grew significantly in just one year. In 2016, CLTG secured a total of ₱352.8 million worth of projects. By the end of 2017, it had secured over ₱3 billion (₱3,047,913,365.05) in contracts — a nearly ₱2.7-billion jump.
This surge was made possible not only by St. Gerrard, but also through partnerships with other established companies. Among them are Manila-based Three W Builders Inc., with whom CLTG secured eight projects worth about ₱1.2 billion, and Davao-based Rely Construction and Supply, which partnered with CLTG on three projects worth ₱407 million. CLTG has also partnered with Dreirich Builders and Alfrego Builders — the latter owned by Senator Go's brother, Alfredo — on projects collectively worth hundreds of millions.
According to a 2018 investigation by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), CLTG only holds a “B” license from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, which limits the size of projects it can bid on alone. By partnering with larger, triple-A companies, the Go-owned company has qualified for larger contracts.
Two procurement experts interviewed by PCIJ confirmed that this practice — entering into joint ventures to meet contracting capacity requirements — is permissible under current rules. However, it has raised eyebrows given CLTG’s rapid rise in a region where Duterte and Go wield significant political power.
Decline after 2018
CLTG’s streak did not last long. After securing 42 projects worth nearly ₱3.6 billion between 2016 and 2018—split between solo bids and joint ventures—the firm abruptly stopped appearing in DPWH contract lists. From 2019 onward, CLTG Builders no longer appeared in the database of awarded projects, nor in the list of licensed contractors with PCAB.
By then, Go had successfully run for senator, winning a seat in 2019 and again in 2025. He distanced himself from his family’s business dealings, saying he had no involvement in CLTG’s contracts.
“As I have said numerous times, as early as 2018, in 2021, 2024 and now, I have nothing to do with their business. Kaya sila ang dapat na tanungin ninyo, at hindi ako,” Go said.
Lingering controversies
Despite Go’s repeated denials, his family’s business record has continued to face scrutiny. In 2018, then-senator Antonio Trillanes IV amplified PCIJ’s findings and pushed for a Senate probe. By 2024, Trillanes went further, filing graft and plunder complaints against both Duterte and Go, alleging that firms linked to their families cornered at least ₱6.6 billion worth of government projects between 2007 and 2018.
The case is still pending before the Department of Justice.
As for the Discayas, their business footprint has remained visible. Although St. Gerrard’s contracts in Davao tapered off after 2019, the firm continued to secure projects in other parts of the country, amassing nearly ₱5 billion worth of deals from 2016 to 2023. Related companies — including St. Timothy Construction Corporation and Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp. — were likewise flagged by President Marcos in his recent disclosures.
Alfrego Builders, owned by Go’s brother, also remained in the business, bagging ₱327.2 million worth of flood control projects between 2023 and 2024.
What’s next?
As the vice chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Senator Go is now in a position to help lead an investigation into the very system that may have benefited his family. His previous connections to the Discaya family and their companies raise concerns about how he will handle the examination of companies his family once partnered with.
Go continues to advocate for accountability, but critics argue that the distinction between his public responsibilities and his family's private interests is unclear. They contend that the current Senate investigation will be the true test of whether he can establish and maintain that boundary.
