Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday said he is saddened by President Duterte’s decision to withdraw from the senatorial race in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
Go issued the statement after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that the President formally withdrew his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator.
Earlier on the same day, Go officially withdrew his candidacy for president. Go and Dutterte filed their COCs for president and senator through substitution under the Pederalism ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan.
“Mas lalo akong nalulungkot gaya ng iba nating kapwa Pilipino. Bagama’t marami pang pwedeng gawin si Pangulong Duterte para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa, respetuhin na natin ang kanyang desisyon na mag-retire pagkatapos ng kanyang termino bilang Pangulo (I am more sad like our fellow Filipinos. Though President Duterte can still do so much for the nation, let us respect his decision to retire after he finishes his term as president),” Go said when sought to comment.
“Nagserbisyo na po siya nang husto sa bayan at marami na siyang nabago na nagpaganda ng buhay ng taumbayan. Siguradong hindi iyan makakalimutan ng mga Pilipino (He served the nation steadfastl and he initiated reforms that improved the lives of the people. I’m sure Filipinos will not forget that),” the senator added.
According to Go, the president will spend his remaining months of his presidential term strengthening the country’s COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery efforts.
He also said Duterte will also work to make sure that next year’s polls would be peaceful and orderly and that there would be a smooth transition to the next administration.
“Nagpapasalamat ang Pangulo sa tiwala at suporta na ibinigay sa kanya ng taumbayan. Sa ngayon, excited na rin po ang Pangulo na magpahinga at makasama ang kanyang pamilya (The president is thankful for the trust and support given to him by the public. For now, the President is excited to take a reset and be with his family),” Go said.