‘I no longer consider myself as presidential candidate’—SBG

WHILE he is yet to formally cancel his certificate of candidacy (COC), Sen. Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, reiterated his call to his and President Duterte’s supporters to stop urging him to still run for president, saying he no longer considers himself a candidate.

In a talk to the media last December 10, 2021, while attending to the needs of fire victims in San Andres, Manila, Go also belied reports that Pres. Duterte has already chosen another presidential candidate to support after announcing he announced his announced his withdrawal in the presidential contest last November 30, 2021.

“Sa ngayon po base po sa pag-uusap namin, sa ngayon wala pa po. At ako nag-aantay na lang po ako kung sino po ‘yung ieendorso niya,” said Go.

However, Go expressed the belief that Pres. Duterte would only support another candidate who is committed to continuing the administration’s legacy and in sustaining government efforts towards pandemic recovery.

“Ako naman, sinabi ko kung sino ‘yung makakapagpatuloy ng mga pagbabagong naumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte. ‘Wag lang putulin ‘yung magagandang programa – Build, Build, Build program, itong COVID response natin maganda na ang takbo, ipagpatuloy lang po sana,” said Go.

In the week after announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race, the main office of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila, was daily filled by Go’s supporters with placards and streamers urging him to continue his campaign for the country’s highest office, as they expected him to formally withdraw his COC any time that week.

The country’s electoral laws mandate for a candidate to formally withdraw his candidacy before the poll body.

But Go said he is not in a hurry to do so and reiterated his appeal for people to stop with their mass action.

“Sabi ko nga hanggang May 9 naman ang withdrawal, so bakit ba tayo nagmamadali? Bakit ba kayo nagmamadali? Sino bang nagmamadali?” said Go. As far as he is concerned, however, Go said that he does not consider himself a candidate anymore.

“Huwag n’yo na po akong i-consider na candidate. Nakikiusap na nga po ako sa mga leaders ko, huwag n’yo na pong ilagay ‘yung mga tarpaulin.

“Sabi ko tanggalin n’yo na lang po, at huwag na kayong magdagdag ng tarpaulin,” Go advised his supporters.

To aid the fire victims numbering around 195 families, Go and his staff handed out financial assistance, grocery packs, meals, masks, and vitamins.

In addition, the senator gave away new pairs of shoes, bicycles, and computer tablets to select recipients.

“Amin pong obligasyon ‘yan na tumulong sa mga kababayan natin. Maraming salamat din po dahil sabi ko noon pa, hindi lang po sa Maynila kahit saang lugar po… obligasyon po namin na tumulong sa abot ng aming makakaya ay tutulong po kami,” he assured.