Backing up his ally, Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go asked members of the House of Representatives to ease up on its contempt citations as he expressed concern for the health of lawyer Zuleika Lopez.

He said this on Saturday, Nov. 23, after the turmoil that erupted following Lopez's transfer order to the Women’s Correctional Facility in Mandaluyong City. Lopez is the Office of the Vice President (OVP) chief-of-staff.

"Nakikiusap po ako sa ating mga kapwa mambabatas sa House of Representatives na hinay-hinay lang sa pagpapatupad ng contempt citation at igalang po ang karapatan ng mga resource persons (I urge my fellow lawmakers in the House of Representatives to be cautious in enforcing contempt citations and to respect the rights of the resource persons)," he said.

"Natatakot na po ang mga resource persons dahil puro naco-contempt na po sila. Imbes na maging productive ang resulta, ay hindi na po, dahil sa takot. Tandaan natin na “in aid of legislation” naman po ito (The resource persons are starting to feel scared because they are facing contempt charges. Instead of achieving productive results, the situation has become counterproductive due to this fear. Let's remember that this is 'in aid of legislation')," he added.

Go also told House members to revisit its rules regarding investigations in aid of legislation, especially the grounds for citing resource persons in contempt. He said that this should not be abused.

"As a legislator and a Filipino citizen, I urge you: Please stop the harassment," he added.

He questioned Lopez's transfer to the correctional facility, and pointed out that she's not accused of any crime. He added that she hasn't been convicted and that she's just a resource person.

"Bilang mambabatas, layunin natin sa mga committee hearings na matanong ang ating mga resource persons para malaman po ang katotohanan in aid of legislation. Paano tayo maka-craft ng bagong batas? Dapat nga ay magtulungan tayo dito (As legislators, our goal in the committee hearings is to question our resource persons in order to uncover the truth in aid of legislation. How can we craft new laws? We should be working together on this)," Go said.

He then called for reconciliation among the country's leaders.

Imee as mediator

In a radio interview at Usapang Senado over DWIZ, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada says that Senator Imee Marcos is a "major factor" who can negotiate between the two camps.

"Siguro pwede siyang mag-initiate ng move para mabawas-bawasan naman yung tension na nararamdaman ng taong bayan (Maybe she can initiate a move that will help ease the tension among the people)," Estrada said.

Go also appealed to Senator Marcos, as the presidential sister and friend to the Vice President, to act as mediator between Duterte and President Marcos.

"Kung napagsama niya noon sa UniTeam ang Marcos at Duterte nung nakaraang eleksyon, baka sana pwede siyang maging instrument for peace and reconciliation... Sayang po ang oras. Kaya tayo niluklok dito para magtrabaho (If she was able to bring together Marcos and Duterte for UniTeam during the last election, she might have been an instrument for peace and reconciliation... Time is ticking. We were elected here to work)," Go said.

"Nakikiusap po ako kay Senator Imee (I am asking Senator Imee), you have this opportunity to play a role in unifying our divided country. Masyadong divisive po ang nangyayari sa ngayon habang marami pang Pilipino ang naghihirap (The situation has become too divisive right now while many Filipinos are still suffering)," he added.