SBG vows to oppose NTF-ELCAC budget cut

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, assured the fight for the retention of the 2022 proposed budget of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is just starting as he vowed to oppose his colleagues who had pushed for the drastic reduction of the task force’s budget for its ‘Barangay Development Program’ (BDP) from P28.1 billion to a measly P4.11 billion (see related stories in this issue).

In a statement on Sunday, November 14, 2021, a day after changing his certificate of candidacy (COC) from vice president to president, Go said he “would not support” any cut in the budget of the NTF-ELCAC “due to the increasingly central role it plays in ending the insurgency in the country.”

“The momentum (of) its various programs and projects in addressing the root causes of the insurgency, such as poverty and social exclusion, must not be lost and should be maintained,” Go said.

“Hindi po ako pabor sa pagbawas ng budget ng NTF-ELCAC dahil masasayang lang ang nagawa ng gobyerno sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan sa ating bansa,” he added.

Go is the vice-chair of the Senate Finance Committee chaired Sen. Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara.

“Ako ay lubos na naniniwala sa NTF-ELCAC at sa anti-insurgency campaign nito. Now is not the right time to make such a drastic move considering that the government’s campaign to end armed conflict is gaining momentum,” Go said, clearly addressing his statement to Angara and Minority Leader Sen. Franklin Drilon of the Liberal Party (LP). The LP is a long-time political ally of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Angara, through the prodding of Drilon and parroting the CPP propaganda line that the NTF and its BDP should either be abolished or defunded, confirmed last November 9, 2021, the reduction of the BDP budget.

But in a clear rebuff to his colleagues who are content to stay in the comfort of their offices and homes when passing judgement on the government’s activities, Go said he is witness to the effective role played by the NTF-ELCAC in addressing CPP terrorism.

“Sa aking pag-iikot sa bansa, nasaksihan ko mismo kung paano nakatulong ang NTF-ELCAC sa ating mga kapatid na Pilipino na nais magbalik loob sa ating lipunan.

Bukod dito, nakakatulong din ang programang ito sa pagpondo ng barangay development lalo na sa mga malalayong lugar, upang hikayatin ang ating mga kababayan na huwag mamundok,” continued Go.

In his own capacity, the lawmaker has extended aid and support to hundreds of former CPP terrorists in conflict-affected communities in Bohol, Bukidnon, Leyte Davao Oriental, Samar and Zamboanga del Sur, among others.

The beneficiaries were part of the task force’s BDP and the ‘Retooled Community Support Program’ (RCSP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Go also appealed to the Senate to restore the budget of the NTF-ELEC to ensure all returning rebels have the support they need to improve their lives and be productive members of mainstream society.

“Napakasakit mabalitaan sa mga pahayagan na nagkakapatayan ang Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino.

“Kaya naman nananawagan ako sa aking mga kasamahan sa Senado na kung maaari ay ibalik ang budget ng NTF-ELCAC para naman hindi masayang ang pinaghirapan ni Pangulong Duterte sa pagbigay sa atin ang ligtas at komportableng pamumuhay,” Go added.

Surprising political development

Meanwhile, in a development that has rocked the country’s political landscape, Pres. Duterte on Saturday, November 13, 2021, accompanied Go to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) where the lawmaker changed his COC from vice president to president.

During the event, it was also announced by presidential communications (PCOO) secretary, Martin Andanar, that Pres. Duterte, in turn, would be going to the Comelec on Monday, November 15, 2021, to file his own COC as vice president to Go (see related story in this issue).

Both would be running under a faction of the PDP-Laban, the other being the faction headed by Sen. Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel and Sen. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao, who is also running for president.

As a result of Go’s change of candidacy, Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, cancelled his COC as PDP-Laban presidential candidate, also on Saturday.

The Comelec is yet to resolve which faction of the PDP-Laban it would recognize, according to its spokesman, James Jimenez.