SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go recounted on Wednesday, 17 July 2024, his public service journey during his Facebook Live Interview with fellow health advocate, Doc Willie Ong.
Go mentioned his interest in public service and cited his first big break under former President Rodrigo Duterte when the latter was still a local official and Congressman.
“Unang-una, alam mo, hilig ko na rin po ang public service. Nakikita po sa telebisyon o ‘yung mga poster, si Mayor Duterte noong tumatakbo pa lang siya, nagra-rally siya, napapanood ko na. Hindi po sinadya ‘yung pagkapunta ko sa kanya. Namatay po ‘yung aide niya noong 1998. And then, wala pong pumalit kaagad so nag-volunteer po ako. So doon po nag-umpisa ang lahat…. 1998 pa po, congressman siya,” Senator Go said.
Go served Duterte for more than 20 years; as an aid when the latter was a Congressman, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and as Special Assistant to the President when Duterte became President.
Senator Go added that he was just an average student growing up in Quezon City where he used to commute to his high school from Teachers Village to Kamias-Kamuning, then to Greenhills.
“Wala po akong kaarte-arte sa buhay. Laking Maynila rin po ako noon ngunit bumalik po ako agad sa probinsya namin at doon po ako nag-umpisang maglingkod kay dating Pangulong Duterte,” Go said.
Go as SAP and Senator
As then Special Assistant to the President, Senator Go, in the same interview, was asked about the decision-making process of the President.
Senator Go said all decisions in the Palace emanated from the former President. This was the reason, he noted, that there were no clashes among personalities in Malacañang particularly between him as SAP and former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the Duterte Administration.
“Dapat isa lang po ang talagang magde-desisyon, ang Pangulo lang po. Kami rito nag-a-assist lang po kami at wala po kaming naging hindi pagkakaintindihan,” Go emphasized saying that there was only one decision, and the final decision always came from the President.
It was the former President who convinced him to run for the Senate, according to Senator Go. The lawmaker from Davao City likewise attributed his executive experience at the local level – something he learned from the former Chief Executive – that made him reach out to the masses even in his stint as an incumbent legislator.
Go underscored,
“Hindi ko po lilimitahan ang sarili ko bilang mambabatas. Ang trabaho po ng senador (ay) legislation…. – mga batas, constituency – ‘yung mga constituents natin, at representation… National o local, ang importante rito, serbisyo po sa ating mga kababayan. Makatulong sa kanila, makatulong sa mga Malasakit Center, Super Health Center, makatulong sa mga nasunugan at sa mga pinakanangangailangan na walang ibang malapitan.”
At the end of the day, Go added, the most fulfilling part of helping our fellow Filipinos is giving our people hope. This is where the Senator drew his strength.
Senator Go likewise followed the advice given by his mentor, former President Duterte, which is,
“Just do what is right for the country. Just do what is right for the people. Gawin mo lang ‘yung tama, hinding-hindi ka magkakamali.”
