SBG ready to confront accusers over ethics case threat

SAYING there is “nothing unethical in fighting corruption while pursuing fairness and due process,” Sen. Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, said he is ready to face any accuser that two of his Senate colleagues may bring out to prove his ‘unethical behavior.’

In an interview last September 4, 2021, Go said that his conscience is “clean” and that he has not engaged in any disorderly or unethical behavior that would warrant the filing of an ethics case against him before the chamber.

“Handa akong magpa-imbestiga. Wala akong itinatago, wala akong kinatatakutan at narinig nyo sa aking speech, sabi ko wala akong koneksyon kay (former undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management Lloyd Christopher) Lao. Abogado ‘yan ng Pangulo,” said Go.

“Nagkataon po isa sa mga nakatrabaho ko noon pero hindi ibig sabihin naging abogado ka ng Pangulo, tumulong ka kay Pangulo, nakatrabaho kita, kapag pumasok ka sa kalokohan ay ligtas ka na. Wala po kaming pinipili (sa kampanya laban sa katiwalian),” added Go.

Go made his position known after Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Richard Gordon averred that an ethics case can be brought up against him because of his purported connection with Lao.

Both senators have known political ambitions in next year’s polls and observers believe that consider Go as a ‘threat’ which is why they are now doing their best to tarnish his reputation.

But Go said that if his colleagues have basis to prosecute Lao, they should do so and not linked him by mere association or by mere interpretation.

He pointed out that in order for an ethical complaint against him to succeed, accusers must first show evidence of wrongdoing or disorderly behavior. He referenced past ethical suits brought against senators that were not even resolved.

“Kung ‘yon lang po ang sasabihin nila dahil kakilala ko at nakatrabaho ko ay unethical na ‘yon, ay mali naman po ‘yon.

Ang tanong doon kung kasuhan ka, ano bang unethical na ginawa? Nagproteksyon ka ba? May inutos ka bang masama? Eh wala. Ako pa mismo ang nagsasabi ‘pag may kasalanan kasuhan mo at ikulong mo,” he said.

“Wala po akong tinatago, so wala akong dapat ikabahala dito sa usapan diyan. So, I’m sure, I hope that fairness and due process will always be upheld sa amin sa Senado.”

Last August 31, 2021, Go delivered a privilege speech where he said that if allegations of corruption against him are proven, he is willing to resign, saying that he stands by his name and reputation as a modest public servant from the province willing to do what is right to help fellow Filipinos.

“Talagang gagawin ko po ang lahat po bilang senador. Bagama’t baguhan lang ako sa Senado matalo man nila ako sa debate, matagal na sila diyan, beterano, pero pantay-pantay kami.

“Ang pinagmamalaki ko po ang aking pagseserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” he emphasized.

“Ang hinihingi ko lang naman po ay respeto. At ako po malinis po ang aking hangarin, pangalan lang po at prinsipyo ang pinanghahawakan namin. ‘Yon lang po ang puhunan ko rito, pagseserbisyo, pangalan at prinsipyo,” the lawmaker added.

Probe should not hamper effort versus COVID-19

Also, last September 4, 2021, Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, said he fully supports the ongoing investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (SBRC) headed by Gordon in the discrepancies of expenditure by the Department of Health (DOH) contained in an audit report by the Commission on Audit (COA).

The senator called for restraint and sobriety in Gordon’s conduct of the probe, warning that the ongoing investigation should not compromise or hamper the implementation of the government’s COVID-19 response programs.

“Sa ngayon, takot ang nasa Executive gumalaw. Takot silang bumili, takot nang pumirma dahil naiipit sila.

“So, sinong magsa-suffer dito? Sinong mahihirapan dito? ‘Yung mga kababayan natin na umaasa ng pondo at serbisyo ng executive department,” Go pointed out.

emphasized Go.

“Yung problema katulad nitong sa COA is procedural palang ito. So, ibig sabihin, pwede pang i-rectify.

“Ang nangyayari, nagkakaroon kaagad ng husgahan … papaano gagalaw ang DOH o iba pang departamento kung gano’n ang mangyayari?” he asked.

“Pwede naman kasuhan at ikulong kung may kasalanan. Pero masyado pang premature … bigyan muna natin sila ng pagkakataon na magpaliwanag at tulungan natin silang maisaayos pa lalo ang ating COVID-19 response efforts,” he appealed.

Go also warned his colleagues not to mix their political ambition while the investigation is ongoing.

Go also raised his concern that political interests might adversely affect the impartiality of the inquiries. He emphasized that while politics is inevitable, fairness and due process must prevail.

“Tingnan na lang natin ngayong October 8 sa filing po ng Certificate of Candidacy (COC). Tingnan n’yong mabuti ang karamihan diyan sa nangunguna sa imbestigasyon sa Blue Ribbon Committee ay may plano pong tumakbo sa susunod na halalan,” he explained.

“Ang ayaw lang po natin dito mangyari ay mahaluan na po ng pulitika, mahaluan na po ng paninira para lang po pinturahan ng itim ‘yung ibang tao para magmukha silang puti sa harapan ng publiko,” he said further.

“Kumbaga, ang nangyayari ngayon, kontralado lang po ng iilan. Kapag sumagot naman po ang resource person, babarahin,” he further said.