VICE presidential aspirant Senator Christopher "Bong" Go assured that he is all set for his vice presidential candidacy.
In a statement, Go said he is determined to pursue his plan to seek the nation's second-highest post in the coming May 2022 polls.
"So let me repeat, ako naman po’y desidido na. Sabi ko nga desidido na po ako bilang vice president. Nakakasa na eh, kumbaga 100 percent na po ako diyan. Nakakasa na po ang lahat. Nakapaghanda na po kami as vice presidential candidate, wala na pong atrasan diyan. Ready na. Marami na pong umaasa, marami na pong napagod at marami na pong umiiyak. So ako naman, basta patuloy po itong vice presidential candidacy ko 100 percent," he added.
(So let me repeat, I have already decided. I said that I am determined to be vice president. I’m 100 percent ready. Everything is ready. There is no turning back. We’re ready. Many are hoping, many are tired and many have cried. For me, I will continue with my vice-presidential candidacy 100 percent.)
Go, however, said any change in the PDP-Laban plans for 2022 elections would highly depend on the decision of its chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Iyon naman talaga ang original plan ng partido, ‘yung Go-Duterte. Subalit nakapagsalita na po ako na kung hindi tatakbo si Pangulong Duterte bilang vice president ay hindi po ako tatakbong presidente. Sa kanya po nanggagaling ang aking lakas, ‘yung hugot ng aking lakas. Ibig sabihin, kung malakas ‘yung loob n’ya, malakas rin ang loob ko," he said.
(That is really the original plan of the party, the Go-Duterte. But I have already said that if President Duterte does not run as vice president, I will not run for president. From him comes my strength, the source of my strength. I mean, if he's strong, I'm strong too.)
Full commitment
He also lauded the accomplishments of the Duterte administration's legacy projects and initiatives, notably its focus on peace and order, while emphasizing the need to sustain them in the years ahead.
He emphasized his full commitment to pursue and expand further the programs and positive change started by the Duterte administration.
"Ang tanong naman diyan eh nasa mga kababayan natin. Gusto n’yo ng continuity? Continuity si Pangulong Duterte -– patuloy ‘yung mga programa," he said. "Kayo na po ang humusga kung nakakalakad ba ‘yung mga anak ninyo sa gabi kumpara po noon, kung mas nakakalakad sila ng tahimik at may peace of mind po ang inyong mga magulang na umuwi ‘yung mga anak sa kanilang pamamahay.
(The question is with our countrymen. Do you want continuity? President Duterte is continuity -- the programs continue. It is up to you to judge whether your children can walk at night compared to before, if they can walk more quietly and your parents have peace of mind for the children to go home.)
Go has also welcomed the idea of President Duterte running for senator in the 2022 elections, saying that he would be a "big help" in the government if elected.
"Malaking tulong po si Pangulong Duterte bilang isang senador sa mga naniniwala at nagtitiwala kay Pangulong Duterte kaysa naman po ‘yung mga senador na puro naghahanap lang ng pagkakamali," said he said.
(President Duterte is a great help as a senator to those who believe and trust in President Duterte, rather than the senators who are just looking for mistakes.)
Legislator
He said Duterte would be very efficient in helping develop the country and Filipino people as a legislator should he decide to take the call and get elected as a senator.
"Iba talaga ‘pag nandiyan si tatay Digong. Mayro'n kayong tatay na masasandalan sa panahon ng inyong pangangailangan. Iba ‘yung totoong tatay, iba po ‘yung nagtatay-tatayan lang. Ito si tatay Digong, totoong tatay po ng bawat Pilipino na nagmamahal po sa inyo ma-presidente man siya, ma-senador man siya, ma-mayor man siya, ma-barangay captain man siya," he added.
(It’s really different when Tatay Digong is there. You have a father to lean on in your time of need. Having a real father is different than someone who is pretending to be one. This is Tatay Digong, the true father of every Filipino who loves you whether he is president, senator, mayor or barangay captain.)
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who heads PDP-Laban, stated that attempts are being made to push Duterte to consider running for Senate in 2022.
Despite his candidacy, Go emphasized the need to stay focused on his responsibilities as a senator and public servant, particularly in supporting the government and the wider people in combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
"Importante muna economic recovery po at trabaho po para wala pong magutom na kababayan natin. So huwag muna nating pag-usapan muna ‘yang pulitika. Ihuli na natin ‘yung pulitika, unahin muna natin ‘yung kapakanan ng mga kababayan nating naghihirap po rito. Sila muna ang unahin natin," said Go. "Sabi ko nga kahit saan ako pumunta, huwag muna nating pag-usapan ’yung pulitika dahil baka wala na tayong pulitikang pag-uusapan kung hindi natin malampasan itong pandemyang ito.”
(Economic recovery and work are important first so that our compatriots don't go hungry. So let's not talk about politics first. Let's put the welfare of our citizens who are suffering here first. I said wherever I go, let's not talk about politics first because we might not have anything to talk about politics if we don't get past this pandemic.)