Philippines
National
'Ayoko manira': Bong Go vows to steer away from negative campaigning
'Ayoko manira': Bong Go vows to steer away from negative campaigning
Reelectionist Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he will not engage in any form of negative campaigning during the campaign period of the May 2025 elections.
Go made the declaration at the sidelines of the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) proclamation on Friday night at Club Filipino, San Juan, Manila.
"Ayoko na pong manira. Hayaan na po natin ang taumbayan ang maghusga kung sino ang nagtatrabaho (I don’t want to destroy other people. Let’s just let the people judge who is really working),” Go said in an ambush interview.
Go emphasizes that his focus is on public service over politics amid issues of mudslinging and political differences during the campaign period.
During the proclamation rally of the administration’s senatorial slate, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. urged voters against choosing candidates known for their botched handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, those involved in alleged extrajudicial killings, and whose foreign policy stance is pro-China.
Instead of engaging in political mudslinging, Go said it is more important to allow the public to judge past administrations based on their actions and results.
Nevertheless, as a staunch ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Go defended the past leadership’s handling of the pandemic, citing his strong political will and relentless dedication to managing the crisis.
"Alam n’yo, panahon ng pandemya noong 2020, mayroon tayong strong leader na mayroong political will na gawin po ang nararapat. Ewan ko na lang kung iba po ang presidente noong 2020. Ano pong mangyayari sa atin? Mas marami pong namatay (You know, we have a strong leader during the 2020 pandemic who has a political will and knows what should be done. I don’t know what would have happened if another person became the president in 2020. What would have happened to us? More people would have died),” Go pointed out.
“Ako, saksi po ako n’yan. Panahon ng pandemya, halos walang pahinga po si dating Pangulong Duterte (I was a witness then. During the pandemic, President Duterte had no time to rest),” Go recounted.