Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go is testifying in the Senate investigation into the P 15-billion deal involving the purchase of two frigates for the Philippine Navy (PN).
"I did not intervene in the purchase of 2 Navy frigates of the Department of National Defense (DND) nor intervene in the selection for the Combat Management System (CMS)," he told the senators.
He said he did not want the inquiry to be held in a closed-door meeting.
He said he preferred a full-blown "public and transparent hearing."
He identified Rappler and Inquirer as the sources of the alleged "fake news."
"Tapos na po ito sa panahon ng Aquino administration at walang nakialam sa kontrata (this was completed during the Aquino administration and no one interfered in the contract)," he stressed.
"We are being castigated for endorsing a complaint which is among the thousands of complaints we receive," he explained.
Go told the Senate that the Navy urgently needs the frigates.
He cited the grave security threats that the country faces and the need for the military to acquire important defense systems.
