SENATOR Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, does not mind who the country’s next president would be, saying he can always work “with any president” after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president last October 2, 2021.
Go, who was accompanied by Pres. Duterte and PDP-Laban president Alfonso Cusi during the filing, said his “priority” is to “pursue the continuity of programs of the current administration and expand it further to sustain the positive changes started by Pres. Duterte.
“I can work with anyone. Mula noon hanggang ngayon, walang pili naman po ang pagseserbisyo ko sa tao.
“Rerespetuhin ko kung sino ang ihahalal ng taumbayan sa pagka-pangulo,” said Go in a statement on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.
The dynamics of the coming presidential election has been drastically altered after Pres. Duterte decided to forego his plan to run as vice-president and instead convinced Go to run instead.
Go had repeatedly turned down the appeal of his party mates to run as president with Pres. Duterte as his running mate.
Their decision has left their faction of the PDP-Laban as the only major political party without a presidential candidate.
Although Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa filed his candidacy for president just before the closing hours of the filing of COC last October 8, 2021, he said on Monday, October 11, 2021, that he would have “no choice” but to withdraw his candidacy should the PDP-Laban failed to give him financial support.
“Isa lang po ang ipinapaalala nya sa akin (Pres. Duterte) – unahin mo lang ang interes ng Pilipino, unahin mo lang ang kapakanan ng Pilipino, at mahalin mo ang kapwa mo Pilipino, hinding-hindi ka magkakamali” — Sen. Bong Go
With Davao City mayor, Sara Duterte also appearing determined in not running for president, this leaves Go as the only prominent PDP-Laban candidate running in next year’s polls.
Go said that should he be elected vice president he would not be a “spare tire” in the next six years.
“At kung mabibigyan naman ako ng pagkakataon ng mga kababayan natin, I will be a working Vice President na gagawin ang lahat para makapagsilbi sa mga Pilipino hindi lang sa salita, kundi sa gawa.
“Hindi ako magiging spare tire o reserba lamang,” the senator said.
“Bilang opisyal at kandidato naman ng PDP-Laban, kaisa ako ng aking mga kapartido sa aming hangaring maipagpatuloy ang mga magagandang programa at makabuluhang pagbabago na nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte,” said Go.
Despite lacking their own presidential candidate, Go said the PDP-Laban “will support a presidential candidate who can push for the continuity that the people want.”
And despite his vice-presidential bid where he would be pitted against Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, Buhay Partylist Rep. Joselito ‘Lito’ Atienza and Doctor Wille Ong, Go, stressed he “remains focused” on his duties as a senator and public servant.
“Pero sa ngayon, ayaw kong pag-usapan muna ang pulitika. Unahin muna nating malampasan ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19. Bakuna muna bago pulitika,” Go said.
Go made the clarification last October 7, 2021, during a visit to Valenzuela City.
“Ako naman po magtatrabaho pa rin ako dahil senador po ako, hindi naman ako considered resigned, hindi naman po ako appointed or nasa appointive position, ako po’y halal (elected),” said Go during an ambush interview.
He also urged government officials to continue promoting the people’s interests and well-being, particularly during the pandemic, so that the country can continue on its path to recovery.
“Lahat naman tayo. Kung sino po ‘yung may trabaho pa, ‘yung mga elected diyan na hindi naman considered resigned, magtrabaho muna tayo.
‘Yung iba naman po kahit na resigned kayo, kung gusto niyo makatulong, magtrabaho muna tayo dahil baka wala tayong pulitikang pag-uusapan kung hindi natin malalampasan ito,” Go said, referring to the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asked what guidance or advice Pers. Duterte gave now that he is running for vice president, Go replied that while the President does not interfere with his work, he always reminds him that prioritizing their well-being and loving his fellow Filipinos will never fail him.
“Isa lang po ang pinapaalala nya sa akin – unahin mo lang ang interes ng Pilipino, unahin mo lang ang kapakanan ng Pilipino, at mahalin mo ang kapwa mo Pilipino, hinding-hindi ka magkakamali. ‘Yun lang,” he ended.