SPECIAL Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said his frequent trips around the country is to help his fellow Filipinos and not for politics.
Go, who is believed to be running for a Senate seat in next year’s midterm elections, visited Cagayan de Oro last July 7 to meet more than a thousand residents from all over Northern Mindanao, with some of them claiming to be his supporters.
“It’s up to the President,” Go said, referring to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“I will just do as he says, in case I will run for senator. Right now, my focus is to help those victims of fire. My job is to help Filipinos,” he said.
“Why should I deprive those less unfortunate the help that they need just to satisfy my critics? Let us just help. This is my job,” Go told reporters during a press briefing before he faced the expectant crowd at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro City.
Go also showed his supporters his basketball playing skills, saying sports is one of way of diverting the attention of the youth from vices, particularly illegal drug use.
He said he fully supports Duterte’s anti-drug campaign and would work to keep the younger generation from being hooked on drugs.
“The President aims to eliminate illegal drugs in the country. If it can’t be eliminated, at least it will be reduced to its barest minimum,” Go said.
During the meet-and-greet session, Go extended assistance to victims of recent fire incidents in the city by giving away pairs of shoes to adults and school supplies to children.
Meanwhile, Go said the members of the consultative committee tasked by Duterte to review the 1987 Constitution will submit their proposal to the President on Monday, July 9.
In a recent interview, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said among the proposals the committee has come up with include the shift to the presidential-federal system of government, and the abolition of political dynasties in the country.
Pimentel said the committee expects Duterte to include the draft charter in his State of the Nation Address on July 25.