Presidential aspirant Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday said he is “still in a state of shock” that he is now running for president in the upcoming May 2022 elections.

Go, who initially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president under the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban), said he is still waiting for a sign from God on whether or not he would pursue the presidency in next year’s polls.

“To be honest with you, nasa state of shock pa po ako e. di ko po alam kung bakit ako nandidito as kandidato bilang pangulo. All set na po ako bilang vice president for 40 days. Nalulungkot ako dahil mga supporters ko po yung mga tarpaulin nila...pumunta ako sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa, nakita ko yung nakalagay na VP. Ang dami na pong nakakalat (I still don’t know why I am a presidential candidate. I was all set to be a vice presidential bet for 40 days. I’m sad because I see my supporters putting up tarpaulins declaring I am VP when I went around the country. It’s been spread all over),” Go said in an interview in Caloocan City.

“Di ko naman akalain na mapunta ako dito sa pagtakbo bilang pangulo. Nasa -shock pa po ako. Nahihirapan pa po ako sa aking sitwasyon bilang tumatakbong pangulo (I didn’t expect that I would run for president. I’m still shocked. I’m having a hard time understanding my situation as someone running for president),” he added.

But Go reiterated he is following his party and President Duterte’s decision, when he decided to withdraw his vice presidential bid and filed his candidacy for president under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS).

“Ngunit, sa totoo lang po, nagre-resist po talaga ang aking utak, puso, at aking katawan. Nabigla po ako dito sa aking pagtakbo. Napakahirap po ng aking sitwasyon (however, the truth is, my mind, heart and my body is resisting. I am really shocked in my decision to run. I’m in a difficult situation),” he insisted.

Asked if he is still considering dropping his presidential bid, Go said he is still carefully thinking about it, saying he is stil waiting for a sign on whether or not he should pursue the presidency or not.

Nevertheless, he said he is prepared to be the next chief executive should he win in the elections. Go cited his experience in working with the President.

“I’ve been there sa tabi ni Pangulong Duterte. Alam ko po ang problema, alam ko po ang solusyon, part ako ng solusyon (I’ve been there on the side of the President. I know the problem, I know the solution, I am part of the solution),” he pointed out.

He also rejected insinuations he was dictating the President in his decision-making.

“No. Kanya po yun, final decision lahat ng mga yun. Pero nakapag-suggest ng magagandang decision? Opo, nakapagbigay ako ng magagandang suhestiyon sa kanya. Unang araw pa lang ng kanyang termino as mayor hanggang sa naging presidente siya (No. All final decision was his. But did I suggest something good? Yes. I was able to give him good suggestions. Since the first day of his term as mayor until he became a president),” he said.

Go said one of the advice he gave the president was to provide a salary hike for police and military officers.

“Ako nag remind sa kanya, ako nagtrabaho nun na idoble ang sahod ng mga pulis at sundalo, dahil alam kong kailangan para mag sipag pa ang ating mga pulis dahil kulang talaga ang sahod nila (I reminded him and worked hard to double the salary of policemen and soldiers because I believe it is needed for them to work hard because their salary is low),” he said.

“Isa po yan sa mga desisyon na sinuggest ko kay Pangulong Duterte (It was one of the President’s decision that I suggested to him) and it was his final decision,” Go reiterated.