SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go emphasizes his focus on public service over politics amid issues of mudslinging and political differences during the campaign period.
“Ayoko na pong manira. Hayaan na po natin ang taumbayan ang maghusga kung sino ang nagtatrabaho,” Explained Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
In a phone interview with DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan on February 12, Senator Go responded to remarks made by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding the Duterte administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, alleged extrajudicial killings, and foreign policy stance on China.
Instead of engaging in political mudslinging, Senator Go underscored the importance of allowing the public to judge past administrations based on their actions and results.
The senator defended former President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership during 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. Ako, saksi po ako n’yan. Panahon ng pandemya, halos walang pahinga po si dating Pangulong Duterte. Kaya nga po medyo tumanda nga after his presidency dahil nakatutok po siya sa pandemya,” Senator Go recounted.
He also pointed out that Duterte successfully handed over a stable government in 2022, emphasizing that it is now up to the people to decide in the upcoming 2025 elections who among the current leaders are genuinely working for the nation’s welfare.
“At nalagpasan po natin ito at tinurn over n’ya po ang gobyerno sa bagong administrasyon noong 2022 nang maayos at maganda po ang takbo ng pamumuhay natin noong 2022. Kaya hayaan na natin ang taumbayan ang humusga. Kaya tayo may eleksyon sa 2025 para taumbayan na po ang humusga kung sino po ang nagtatrabaho.”
When asked whether Duterte would actively campaign for his own candidates, particularly those aligned with the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), Senator Go confirmed the former president’s presence at the party’s proclamation rally but noted that his participation in other campaign sorties would be limited due to his mayoral candidacy in Davao City.
“Sa mga sorties naman po, hindi ko nasisiguro dahil kandidato rin po ang ating former president bilang mayor po ng Davao City. Maybe some city siguro mapapasyalan n’ya, pero nakatutok rin po siya sa kanyang kandidatura bilang mayor ng Davao City, so medyo busy po,” he said.
The PDP, chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte, is holding its proclamation rally on February 13, at Club Filipino in San Juan City. This event officially marks the launch of the party’s senatorial slate for the upcoming elections.
As the campaign season progresses, Senator Go’s emphasis on service over politics remains a central theme of his message to the electorate. His consistent focus on public service reflects his dedication to addressing the needs of the Filipino people above political considerations.
“Inuuna ko ang serbisyo kaysa pulitika. Serbisyo, serbisyo, at more serbisyo,” he stressed, promising to continue bringing government services closer to the people.
“Kung papalarin, pagdating ng panahon, more serbisyo. Ilalapit ko po ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa ating mga kababayan,” emphasized Senator Bong Go.
