Senator Christopher "Bong" Go turned down on Monday, August 30, his nomination as the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan's (PDP-Laban) presidential candidate for the 2022 national and local elections.
In a letter addressed to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, elected president of their wing in the administration party, Go said that while he was "deeply honored by the trust and confidence" of his partymate, he would decline the endorsement.
"As much as I wish to respond to the clamor of many of our partymates, I most respectfully decline the said endorsement," Go said.
"As I have said many times before, I am not interested in the presidency," he reiterated.
Go said that he "would rather devote time and attention in helping the government and our people overcome this pandemic as soon as possible."
"This includes not just crafting laws but also performing representation and constituency services, by helping those in need, as I have been doing ever since," he added.
Still, in concluding his letter, the former presidential special assistant stated that he will leave his political future in God's hands.
“Ipapasa-Diyos ko na lang ang lahat," he said
Last August 4, the PDP-Laban faction led by Cusi adopted a resolution nominating Go as their presidential candidate, alongside President Duterte as their vice presidential candidate.
Duterte has already accepted the endorsement and confirmed his plan to run for vice president.
But a portion edited out from his taped speech on Tuesday night supposedly said that he would abandon his bid if his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, would seek presidency.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque clarified that the Chief Executive's position that "only one Duterte will run" for next year's elections remains.