Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reiterated his appeal to be “counted out” for a higher position in the 2022 national elections, urging everyone to focus on helping address the ongoing pandemic instead.
This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte praised the senator’s work and called him “president” on March 5 during the joint meeting of National and Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.
“I said, please let’s not talk about politics during this time. It’s important for us to surpass this pandemic, because if we don’t, we have no politics to discuss in succeeding years,” Go said during his visit and distribution of assistance to fire victims in Brgy. Governor Duterte, Davao City on Wednesday, March 10.
“Huwag natin pag-usapan ‘yung pulitika. Pangit po pag-usapan ang pulitika sa panahong ito. Darating din tayo diyan,” he added.
Go pointed out that the country will inevitably elect its next leaders in 2022.
The senator said, however, that he is planning to make the most of the opportunity given to him to serve Filipinos.
“Whether we like it or not, once October comes, once May comes next year, we will choose our new leader. So, let’s choose a leader who really loves his fellow Filipinos, who can really continue the changes that President Duterte started,” Go said.
“Please count me out po. Please don’t include me in politicking. My term as Senator lasts until 2025, and I won’t waste this. Every day that you give me is a chance to serve you all, and I won’t waste this.
I will return to the people the service you deserve. Every day, I will work for you,” he added.
As for the resolution issued by the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino urging Duterte to run for Vice President in next year’s elections, Go said these calls prove that the public is satisfied with the President’s leadership.
“I am not surprised with calls like this. We see that Filipinos are very satisfied with the performance of our President Duterte, so the public continues to trust him,” Go said.
“The public probably wants the continuity of good changes to the country, and for the President to fulfill his promise that no one would be left behind toward our full recovery from the pandemic as a united and stronger country,” the senator explained.
Go said that he and Duterte are grateful for the continuing trust and confidence being given to the administration.
“But despite this, we continue to work hard and remain focused on serving the Filipino people especially during these trying times,” he said.
“During this time, let’s put service to country and service to others first. Because if we don’t survive this crisis, maybe we won’t have any politics to talk about,” he reiterated.