Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Tuesday, August 31 thanked his Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP)-Laban partymates for their trust and support but reiterated his firm decision to decline the endorsement of the PDP-Laban National Executive Committee to be the party’s presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.
Go emphasized that he would rather focus on his mandate as an elected senator, help the country overcome the pandemic, and respond to the needs of Filipinos — away from the limelight — as he has done ever since.
“Para sa isang simpleng probinsyano mula sa Mindanao, ang pag-endorsong ito ay isang malaking karangalan na para sa akin (For a simple man from the province of Mindanao, the endorsement is a great honor for me),” he added.
In a letter addressed to party president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi dated August 30, Go stated that he is ‘deeply honored by the trust and confidence” to be endorsed as presidential candidate and run with President Rodrigo Duterte as Vice Presidential candidate. He, however, emphasized that he respectfully declines the endorsement.
In a response letter addressed to Go later that day, Cusi said that the NEC understands his position but is nevertheless determined to endorse him as PDP-Laban candidate for president.
The Cusi faction of PDP-Laban party will hold its convention on September 8 in San Jose del Monte city (Bulacan).
“As much as I wish to respond to the clamor of my partymates, I most respectfully decline the said endorsement ahead of the September 8 party assembly,” Go again said.
Elected as Senator in 2019, Go’s term in the Senate is still until 2025. Hence, he stressed that his focus is on his legislative work, as well as in giving a voice to those he represents and in ensuring public service delivery to constituents, especially the needy and those who need government attention the most.
“Bilang chair ng Senate Committee on Health, mas nais kong mag-focus muna sa pagtulong sa pamahalaan at sa ating mga mamamayan na malampasan ang pandemya sa mas lalong madaling panahon (As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, I prefer to focus first in helping the government and our people overcome the pandemic the soonest possible time),” said Go.
“Hindi lang ito limitado sa pagsulong ng mga panukalang batas kundi kasama na ang representation and constituency services, lalo na para sa mga nangangailangan nating kababayan, katulad sa dati ko nang ginagawa noon pa (This is not limited to crafting proposed legislations, it also includes the representation and constituency services, especially for our countrymen who are in need, just like what I have been doing since then),” he added.
“Ipapasa-Diyos ko na lang ang lahat (I leave everything in the hands of God),” Go remarked, indicating that he would leave his political fate to God.
Meanwhile, Go urged the public to be vigilant against fake news especially now that election season is nearing.
“Yan ang problema sa pulitika dito sa atin, maamoy lang na may mga gustong tumakbo ka, kung anu-anong black propaganda at fake news na ang binabato sa iyo ng mga walang magawa sa buhay o ‘yung mga may pansariling interes (That is the problem of politics in our country, once they smell that there are people who want to run, all kinds of black propaganda and fake news will be thrown to you by people who have nothing to do in life or those with personal interest),” he said.
“Huwag niyo ako problemahin dahil tulad ng sabi ko, wala akong planong tumakbo sa pagka-Pangulo. Kaysa manira kayo ng kapwa, tulungan niyo nalang ‘yung mga nangangailangan nating mga kababayan (Do not worry about me, because as I have said, I have no plans in running for President. Instead of maligning your fellowmen, it’s better if you just help our countrymen who are in need),” he added.
He then denounced those who take advantage of the vulnerabilities of Filipinos amid the ongoing public health emergency just to push their own political agenda and vested interests at the expense of the truth.
“Una, may nagsabi may bayaw daw akong drug lord. Dun palang fake news na kasi wala naman akong kapatid na ganun ang pangalan. Pangalawa, galit kami sa durugista kaya nga pinapahuli lahat ng drug lords na yan!(First, there are people saying that I am a brother in-law of a drug lord. That is a fake news because I have no brother of that name. Second, we are angry at drug users that is why we want all the drug lords arrested!),” Go said, pertaining to fake news being spread on social media that he has a sister married to a drug lord.
“Nandito ako para magserbisyo, magbigay ng solusyon sa mga problema, at tumulong sa mga nangangailangan. Iyan ang pangako ko sa taumbayan. Kahit anong putik itapon niyo sa akin, hindi matitinag ang aking paniniwala na gawin ang tama at ipaglaban ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino (I am here in order to serve, to provide solution to the problems, and help the need. That is my commitment to the people. Whatever malice you put on me, I will not be affected, I will continue to do what is right and will fight for the welfare of every Filipino),” he added.
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