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CITING “opposition” from his family and his high regard for Pres. Duterte, Sen. Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, announced his withdrawal from the presidential contest.
In a statement he read during the 158th commemoration of the birth of Katipunan Supremo, Gat Andres Bonifacio, at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City, Go added his mind and his “heart” were in “conflict” as regards his candidacy.
Go ended up as the presidential candidate after “switching” his candidacy from president to vice president of the ruling PDP-Laban political party last November 15, 2021, the last day for candidates’ substitution under the country’s electoral laws. He originally filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president last October 2, 2021.
“In the past few days, I realized that my heart and my mind are contradicting my actions. Talagang nagre-resist ang aking katawan, puso, at isipan. Tao lang po ako na nasasaktan at napapagod din,” said the senator, in an interview with state-run PTV4.
Prior to this, Go already hinted in a statement last November 27, 2021, that he might withdraw from the presidential contest, saying he “continues to seek guidance from Divine Providence”
in relation to his presidential bid.
At the time, Go added that it may not yet be his time to bid for the country’s political office.
“Sa ngayon, baka hindi ko pa po panahon. Ako yung taong handang magsakripisyo para wala nang maipit, masaktan at mamroblema,” he said, in clear reference to Pres. Duterte.
Go’s decision is expected to also lift a heavy burden for Pres. Duterte, whose daughter, Davao City mayor, Sara Duterte, decided to contest the vice-presidential poll in tandem with former senator, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong/BBM’ Marcos Jr.
“Ayaw ko ring maipit si Pangulong Duterte; higit pa sa tatay ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya,” Go told the media further.
Go’s withdrawal has left the administration with no official candidate for president, triggering speculation that Pres. Duterte’s “blessing” can either go to Marcos or Manila mayor, Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso.
Nevertheless, Go’s decision is already being seen as further boosting the chances of Marcos as pre-poll surveys have shown that Pres. Duterte’s supporters are also supportive of his candidacy, especially after Sara decided to be his running mate.
The Marcos-Duterte tandem continues to dominate the result of all pre-poll surveys, garnering more than 50 percent of voters’ preference should the elections were held today.