Vice presidential aspirant Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Friday, Oct. 8 said his focus now is to continue serving those in need in fulfillment of his duties as a senator and public servant despite being a candidate for the upcoming national elections.
Go, chairman of the Senate Health committee, likewise, as he urged fellow candidates and other officials seeking office in 2022 national and local elections to do the same.
“Ako naman po magtatrabaho pa rin ako dahil senador po ako, hindi naman ako considered resigned, hindi naman po ako appointed or nasa appointive position, ako po’y halal (I will continue to do my job because I am still a senator, I am not an appointed or in an appointive position. I am an elected ),” Go said during an ambush interview after attending the inauguration of the Wellness Entertainment Sports or WES Arena in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City on Thursday, October 7.
“So ako po’y magtatrabaho pa rin po bilang committee chairman on Sports and committee chairman on Health. Magtatrabaho pa rin ho ako (So, I will continue to serve as chairman of both the committee on sports and the committee on health. I will continue to perform my duties),” he added.
He also urged government officials to continue promoting Filipinos' interests and well-being, particularly during the pandemic, so that the country can continue on its path to recovery.
Go emphasized that the priority of the whole country should be in overcoming the pandemic first before engaging in the campaign, saying “pagkatapos ng filing, kalimutan muna natin ang pulitika, may panahon diyan sa Pebrero (...after the filing, let us first forget politics, we have all time in February).”
Go said he continues to encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as he commended the executive branch for successfully implementing the country’s vaccination program.
Go then wished good luck to everyone running for office in 2022, reaffirming his call for them to put the welfare of Filipinos first.
Asked what guidance or advice Duterte gave now that he is running for vice president, Go replied that while the President does not interfere with his work, he always reminds him that prioritizing their well-being and loving his fellow Filipinos would never fail him.
Meanwhile, Go said that he could work with any President that would be elected by the Filipino people.
He said that his party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan would support a presidential candidate who could pursue the continuity that the people want.
The senator from Davao emphasized that it is important for the presidential candidate the party might support to be willing to continue the progress and positive change that the Duterte Administration has initiated.
“Importante po sa akin kung sino po ‘yung pinakamalapit, pinakamalapit sa continuity (For me, I am willing to support anyone who is closest to continuity),” he said.
“Ibig kong sabihin ‘yung mga magagandang programa po ni Pangulong Duterte na nagawa para sa ating mga kababayan ay ipagpatuloy po – ‘yung kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, kampanya laban sa kriminalidad, kampanya laban sa korapsyon sa gobyerno, mga Build Build Build projects, ito pong mga libreng edukasyon, libreng pagpapagamot. ‘Yung mga magagandang programa, ipagpatuloy po natin (I am referring to the beautiful programs of President Duterte for our countrymen, that has to be pursued – such as the campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption in the government, the Build Build Build projects, the free education and free medication. We have to continue these beautiful programs),” he added.
If elected, Go assured Filipinos that he would continue to be of service to them through his hard work and compassion, using the lessons he gained working as aide of President Duterte and as a senator.