By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte expressed confidence that Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher "Bong" Go has a high chance of winning the senatorial race in next year's polls.
SAP Bong Go and President Rodrigo Duterte (photo courtesy of SAP Bong Go)
Duterte made the remark in his speech at the 16th founding anniversary of the Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development in Davao City last night.
In his speech delivered in Bisaya, Duterte boasted that his long-time right-hand man is a formidable candidate.
"Look, he will win as senator...I will bet on it. He would make a great senator. He's really a bright man," he said in Bisaya.
He added that Go enjoys the support of all sectors, including the military and police.
"Please don’t forget that guy at the back, who has slanted eyes, when the time comes," the President added.
Go is being urged by his supporters to run for a senate seat. It was earlier revealed that Duterte would support his assistant "to the hilt." Among Go's most avid supporter is Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, who was also the principal convenor of the "Ready! Set! Go!" movement which was launched in Intramuros, Manila early this month.
The movement was also attended by other Cabinet officials including Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.
But despite the clamor, Go insisted that he has no political ambition and instead vowed to serve Duterte until his last breath.
"He is my adviser, my mentor and my boss. I am very, very happy to be endorsed by Mayor Rody. Nawawala ang pagod ko kahit 24 hours magtrabaho (I feel rejuvenated even if I work for
straight 24 hours)," Go said in a Facebook post last night.
"But it is still too early to talk about politics. Humbled, challenged and motivated, mag du-duty muna ako kay boss at sa kapatid nating Pilipino (I will serve the President and our fellow Filipinos for now)," he added.
Go had earlier likened his choice to serve to that of a janitor who helps other workers in an institution.
"'Wag muna nating pag-usapan iyong senator. Magpaiwan muna akong janitor. Kasi mas maganda iyong janitor, all-around tayo at puwede tayong makatulong (Let's not talk about being a senator for now. I will remain here as a janitor for now. That is better, we can do everything and help people), all-around utility man," he said in an interview early this week.
However, Duterte's right-hand man hinted that with Duterte's endorsement and with the overwhelming support from the public, he cannot just set aside the clamor anymore.
"All these started as a joke, but with the overwhelming support and encouragement of no less than Mayor Rody and his supporters, I cannot just set this aside," Go said in a statement.