Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) vice presidential candidate Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Sunday welcomed the results of a survey that shows him to be ahead of other vice presidential candidates in the upcoming May 2022 elections, saying he is thankful for the continued high trust and support he and the Duterte administration is getting from the Filipino people.

Go appeared to be the leading vice presidential candidate in Publicus Asia’s Pahayag-Quarter 3 survey, which was conducted from October 11 to 18.

The independent and non-commissioned survey comprised 1,500 respondents taken from a market research panel of more than 20,000 Filipinos.

The survey shows him ranking first, getting 23.6 percent of the preferential rating. Dr. Willie Ong, who is running in tandem with Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno ranks 2nd with with19 percent, followed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III who came in third with 17.3 percent, and Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, with 12.3 percent.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga kapatid kong Pilipino sa inyong patuloy na pagtitiwala at pagsuporta sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte (Thank you to all Filipinos who continue to trust and support me and President Duterte),” Go said in a statement.

“Nasa Pilipino na po ang desisyon pagdating ng panahon. Ako naman po, mula noon hanggang ngayon, ang prayoridad ko ay ang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan (It is up to Filipinos to deecide in time. Meanwile, my priority until now is to help those in need),” he said.

Go, however, emphasized that the country’s leaders must remain focused on fulfilling their roles and overcoming the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic rather than anticipating the upcoming national elections next year.

The senator reassured that he will remain dedicated to serving Filipinos as long as he could.

“Sila po ang nagbigay sa akin ng pagkakataon na makapaglingkod sa kapwa at marating kung saan man po ako nandirito ngayon (They are the ones who are giving me the chance to serve our fellowmen and the reason why I am here now),” he said.

“Hindi ko sasayangin ang oportunidad na maglingkod sa aking kapwa Pilipino (I will not waste the opportunity to serve our fellowmen),” he said.

The senator has also vowed to continue the Duterte administration’s programs especially in healthcare, infrastructure development and the fight against criminality, corruption, and illegal drugs.

Go had earlier been chosen by the PDP-Laban to be its standard bearer while President Duterte would be his running-mate.

But during the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC), Go filed his COC for vice president after Duterte withdraw his certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA).

Go will be running alongside Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa who was chosen by the party instead to be the standard bearer.