IN a radio interview on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, on DZRH’s “Balansyado with Henry Uri,” Senator Christopher “Bong” Go refuted allegations linking him to illegal drug operations. The claims, based on a matrix presented by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during a House Quad-Committee (QuadComm) hearing on the same day, were dismissed by Go as politically motivated and grounded in unreliable sources.
During the interview, Go called the accusations a rehash of old and baseless claims, attributing them to election season politics. He criticized PDEA’s reliance on a 2017 report by Eduardo Acierto, a source proven to lack credibility.
“Ang pinagbasehan ng PDEA ay yung report ni Acierto na paulit-ulit na, rehashed na po ito. Ibig sabihin pabalik-balik na lang po,” stated Go, who is also vice chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
He emphasized that the allegations are part of a smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation approaching the elections.
“Hindi na po ako nagtataka na paulit-ulit ito dahil alam nyo eleksyon ngayon, ‘di ba? Gusto nilang kulayan kami ng itim para sila ang pumuti,” he remarked, describing the accusations as a political tactic.
Go also condemned what he called PDEA’s irresponsible attempt to establish “guilt by association,” asserting that he has no connections to the Chinese personalities mentioned in the matrix.
“Eh hindi naman yata tama na isa sa pagbabasehan nila ay yung report ni Acierto na hindi naman po credible witness. Sabi ko nga, hindi ko naman kilala itong si Acierto, bakit galit sa amin at pinag-iinitan niya kami,” he said.
He addressed claims that photos of him with alleged drug personalities were used as evidence of connections. Go explained that as a public figure, it is common for people to request photos, which does not imply personal relationships.
“Alam mo uso po ang picture ngayon. Kahit sino po, kahit saan nyo ako makasalubong, magkasalubong tayo diyan sa event maraming nagpapa-picture sa akin,” Go explained.
“Hindi naman ako suplado, pinapansin ko lahat.”
He also described his accommodating nature during his tenure as Special Assistant to the President under Rodrigo Duterte.
“Noong SAP po ako ni Pangulong Duterte, lahat naman pinapansin ko. Hindi ako suplado na tao at alam nyo na ako yung most accommodating person diyan sa gobyerno ni dating Pangulong Duterte lalung-lalo na po sa mga kababayan nating Pilipino,” he added.
Go reiterated his firm opposition to illegal drugs, aligning his commitment with Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
“Wala pong katotohanan na papayag po kami sa illegal na droga. Galit nga kami sa iligal na droga, galit kami sa mga drug lords,” he declared.
He assured the public that he remains focused on fulfilling his duties with integrity, undeterred by baseless accusations.
“Just do what is right, what is legal,” Go said, recalling advice from Duterte that continues to guide his actions.
During the same day’s House Quad-Committee hearing, lawmakers criticized PDEA for its decision to include Go in the matrix without sufficient evidence. Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante chastised PDEA for relying solely on an unproven connection between Go and Lim.
“It would be wrong for you to include a person who is not involved in those alleged crimes. Huwag tayong magkakamali because we do not want to accuse a wrong person,” Abante said.
Representative Ace Barbers, chairperson of the inquiry, highlighted the dangers of implicating individuals without substantial proof, warning of the reputational damage caused by unfounded allegations.
“We must be careful in implicating anyone without substantial proof,” Barbers said. PDEA Deputy Director General Renato Gumban faced sharp criticism from lawmakers for failing to present concrete evidence linking Go to illegal drug operations.
Go attributed the resurgence of these allegations to election season mudslinging, asserting that they are intended to mislead the public and damage reputations.
“Alam mo walang katapusan ito. Mamaya may picture na naman na lalabas diyan, nagpapicture sa ‘yo diyan sa tabi, oh, close friend na naman kayo,” he remarked, urging the public to critically evaluate these claims.
Despite the controversies, Go reaffirmed his dedication to serving the Filipino people and dismissed the accusations as distractions.
“Sa mga bumabatikos, iyan naman po ang trabaho nila na sirain ka. At ako naman po’y walang makakapagpigil sa akin sa pagseserbisyo sa kapwa natin Pilipino,” he stated.
He concluded with a unifying message for both his supporters and critics:
“Mahal nyo man ako o hindi, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo at patuloy kong mamahalin ang aking kapwa Pilipino,” Go said.
