Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go on Thursday reiterated that he is not interested in running for a higher position in the 2022 elections.
In a recent interview after he delivered assistance to fire victims in South Harbor, Manila, Go said that he is leaving his fate to God while remaining focused on his duties to serve Filipinos.
"I leave my fate to God, to the Dutertes, and to the Filipino people, to whom I owe the privilege of serving this nation as a public servant. For without them I will not be where I am now,’’ he said.
Go then appealed to partymates in the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Laban party and supporters to even consider him last when choosing candidates for the upcoming polls
“Nasagot ko na ho 'yan noon, I'm not interested in that position po (I have answered that). Hindi po ako interesadong tumakbo sa posisyon na alam kong napakahirap po na trabaho (I am not interested in running for a position whose tasks are difficult),” he explained.
“Alam ko po 'yun dahil matagal po akong nasa tabi ng ating mahal na Pangulo (I know that because I have served the President.) Alam ko po na napakahirap po ng trabaho ng pagiging Pangulo dahil nasa tabi niya po ako (I know that the job of a President is difficult because i am usually beside him). Akala niyo po masarap? (You think it is a pleasure)? Hindi po, kung gusto mong maging Pangulo dapat willing ka pong magsakripisyo, ubusin mo po 'yung oras mo, 24/7 sa paglilingkod sa mga kapatid nating Pilipino (No, it is not. If you want to be the President, you would use up your time, 24 hours daily every week, in serving your countrymen),” he added
Having worked for President Duterte for decades, Go said that he is aware and familiar with the challenges the presidency entails.
He added that it would be hard to fill the shoes of President Duterte.
“So, kung trabaho ang pag-uusapan, alam na alam ko po, sobrang alam ko 'yung trabaho ni Pangulong Duterte, napakahirap. Knowing that, ako mismo ay discouraged po ako na tumakbo bilang Pangulo dahil alam ko pong napakahirap po na maging isang Pangulong Duterte,” mentioned Go.
Nevertheless, Go expressed his gratitude to those who trust and support him and the Duterte administration.
Go said that he wants nothing more but for the country to overcome the pandemic and bring back normalcy to the lives of Filipinos. He also vowed to continue serving the Filipino people to the best of his abilities.
Asked if President Duterte is interested in running for the vice presidential seat, Go said that the President, together with the whole administration, remains focused on addressing the pandemic and other needs of Filipinos especially the poor and marginalized.
Go admitted that he and President Duterte would want the positive change started by the President to continue in the coming years.
He stressed that emerging from the pandemic should be the primordial concern of everyone.
Go added that the transition from one administration to another must not compromise the gains and efforts done to overcome the health crisis.
He noted that the country is best governed when the President and the Vice President have a common goal, in contrast to the current situation where the vice president is a member of the opposition.
Go emphasized that if President Duterte even considers the thought of running in 2022 as VP, he would prefer a running mate who could continue the change the current administration has started.