(Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN)



In commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Bravery), Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Monday, April 10, gave recognition to all Filipino frontliners and emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring their sacrifices for the country. "Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat na mga frontliners (To all frontliners, thank you). Hindi po namin malilimutan ang inyong mga sakripisyo at dedikasyon sa panahon ng pandemyang ito (We cannot forget your sacrifices and dedication during the pandemic). Kayo ang mga bayani natin sa araw-araw (You are our heroes 24 hours a day),’’ he said. "The  Araw ng Kagitingan honors our Filipino soldiers who bravely fought during the World War II against the Japanese forces. Nitong panahon ng krisis, iba naman ang ating kalaban (During the current crisis, our enemy is different). Hindi lamang ang mga sundalo at pulis ang lumalaban, kundi ang mga doktor, nurse, at iba pang mga frontliners na patuloy na nagseserbisyo at nagsasakripisyo para masalba ang buhay ng ating kapwa Pilipino (It îs not only the police and soldiers that are fighting, but also doctors, nurses and other frontliners who continue to serve and make sacrifices to save the lives of our countrymen),” he added. Go is chairman of the Senate Health and Demography Committee. Araw ng Kagitingan is a national holiday in the Philippines, commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of Filipino soldiers during World War II. It is observed every April 9, the anniversary of the Fall of Bataan during the war. For this year, the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan has been moved today, April 10, in compliance with President Ferdinand ‘’Bongbong’’ Marcos, Jr.'s Proclamation No. 90 issued in November 2022. This is to promote "holiday economics" which was first implemented by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Go, likewise, continues to prioritize the welfare of Filipino frontliners here and abroad as he pushes for several measures that would benefit them. He filed Senate Bill (SB) No.422 which, if passed into law, would entitle any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), who is facing before the prosecutor's office, court or any competent body, any charge arising from an incident related to the performance of official duty to free legal assistance. Meanwhile, the senator from Davao reiterated his position on the proposed reforms to the pension system for the country’s military and other uniformed personnel, stressing that should there be changes, they should not adversely impact the benefits given to active and retired members of the AFP and PNP, as well as other uniformed personnel. To avoid financial burden, it was earlier reported that the Marcos Administration is assessing the need to change the pension system. “Bilang isang senador (As a senator), at vice chairman ng (of the)  Defense Committee sa Senado (in the Senate), I want to give our heroes what is due to them, but we also have to ensure the fiscal stability of our nation,” he emphasized Go. Go had supported efforts to double the salary of military and other uniformed personnel during former President Duterte's term.