Bong Go leads newspaper's online vice-presidential poll

VPGO COALITION. Supporters of vice presidential bet Christopher 'Bong' Go show the stickers they created in support of his candidacy. (Contributed photo)
VPGO COALITION. Supporters of vice presidential bet Christopher 'Bong' Go show the stickers they created in support of his candidacy. (Contributed photo)

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go topped the vice-presidential online poll conducted by Manila Bulletin on its Facebook page from October 29 to 31, 2021.

The survey, according to the Manila Bulletin, aims to “get the pulse of the nation at a particular moment in time” on which candidate their readers will vote for as vice president if the elections were held on those days.

As of October 31, 9:12 p.m., Go led the poll with more than 87,800 votes; fellow senator Francis Pangilinan came in second with 27,400 votes while Dr. Willie Ong placed third with 19,200 votes.

The survey will not be taken down but will be archived and utilized to track the shifting attitudes of its readers and the Filipino people until the elections on May 10, 2022, according to the Manila Bulletin.

Netizens have continued showing their support for Go with over 90,000 reactions in his favor as of November 1.

Previously, Go was also the chosen vice-presidential candidate of 23.6 percent of respondents in Publicus Asia's Pahayag-Quarter 3 survey, which was conducted from October 11 to 18.

Ong came in second with 19 percent, Senate President Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III came in third with 17.3 percent, and Pangilinan followed with 12.3 percent.

Go earlier expressed his gratitude to his fellow Filipinos who continue to trust and support him and the Duterte administration.

Politics later

“Maraming salamat sa mga kababayan nating nagtitiwala sa aking kakayahan at intensyon na mag-serbisyo ng tapat at lubos. Kayo ang nagsisilbing inspirasyon at lakas namin upang ipagpatuloy at paigtingin pa lalo ang serbisyo namin para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go in the earlier statement.

(Many thanks to our fellow citizens who trust in my ability and intention to serve faithfully and fully. You are our inspiration and strength to continue and intensify our service for the benefit of every Filipino.)

He also reiterated that he, together with President Rodrigo Duterte, will continue to serve the Filipino people as gratitude for their support.

“Kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Sa mga kasamahan ko, sana gamitin natin itong inspirasyon upang mas lalong pagbutihin ang ating serbisyo sa taumbayan bilang pagkilala sa tiwala na ibinibigay nila sa atin,” he also said.

(President Rodrigo Duterte and I, we will continue to serve to the best of our ability. To my colleagues, may we use this inspiration to further improve our service to the people in recognition of the trust they place in us.)

According to the same Publicus Asia survey, Go has the highest trust score among senators, retaining the top spot consistent with the earlier results in Quarter 2 conducted last July of this year.

Go explained that despite his vice presidential bid, he remains focused on his duties as a senator and public servant, especially in assisting the government and the general public in combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Magkaisa po tayo para mas mabilis na malampasan ang pandemyang ito bilang isang mas matatag na bansa. Bayanihan at bakuna muna bago ang pulitika,” Go said earlier. “Sabi ko nga, mamaya na muna ‘yung pulitika. Unahin po natin ‘yung pagseserbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan.”

(Let us unite to overcome this pandemic faster as a more stable nation. Bayanihan and vaccine first before politics. I said politics will come later. Let us prioritize service for our countrymen.)

Coalition

Meanwhile, supporters of Go have launched the Let’s Go VP GO Coalition in an event held at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel, gathering more than 50 parallel groups to express their full support for Go’s vice presidential bid in the upcoming May 2022 elections.

Go expressed his appreciation to the organizing committee and those who participated as he reaffirmed his commitment to continue advocating for the welfare and best interests of the Filipinos should he be elected as the next vice president.

In his speech delivered virtually, Go mentioned that he plans to continue the positive changes and pursue further the gains made by the Duterte Administration.

He emphasized the need to sustain President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision in the years ahead, particularly its focus on peace and order, infrastructure, education, access to quality health care, and other social services.

“I accepted the challenge, sabi ko hindi ko sasayangin ito. Sabi ng ating Pangulo, ‘ipagpatuloy mo lamang, Bong, ang mga nagawa ko para sa ating mga kababayan. Dagdagan mo pa, dagdagan mo pa ang magagandang programa,” said Go.

(I accepted the challenge, I said I would not waste it. Our President said, ‘Just continue, Bong, what I have done for our countrymen. Add more, add more great programs.’)

He sought the continued support of the people as he vowed to give his 100-percent effort should he be trusted the nation's second top post.

“Hindi po ito magiging madali para sa akin. Kaya kailangan ko po ang inyong tulong, 100 percent na po akong desidido na tumakbo sa pagiging Vice President. Magta-trabaho po ako. God-willing, I will be a working Vice President. Walang oras o minuto na masasayang,” he continued.

(It will not be easy for me. So I need your help, I am 100 percent determined to run for vice president. I will work. God-willing, I will be a working as vice president.)

Vulnerable sectors

Furthermore, if elected vice president, Go said that he will work to help restore normalcy amid the pandemic and help in alleviating poverty in the country. He also mentioned that he will continue to listen to the concerns of the most vulnerable sectors and provide solutions to their daily struggles.

“Ang isa po sa mga ipinamana sa atin ni Tatay Digong na hinding hindi kayang tumbasan ng anumang halaga ay ‘yung tunay na pagmamahal sa bayan,” Go said. “Importante po sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte trabaho ng bawat Pilipino at mayroon pong makain sa kanilang hapagkainan, mayroon silang maidala sa kanilang pamilya.”

(One of the things that Tatay Digong bequeathed to us that can never be repaid in any amount is ‘true love for the country. President Duterte and I care about the work of every Filipino and they have something to eat at their table, they have something to bring to their families.)

Go also reaffirmed his solidarity with Muslim Filipinos in his speech, emphasizing the importance of following through on Duterte's promise of long-term peace in Mindanao. He also urged the next administration to pursue Duterte's agenda for Mindanao's peace and development.

“Alam n’yo kung gaano namin kamahal ni Pangulong Duterte ‘yung mga kababayan nating Muslim. Noon pa man, no’ng mayor pa siya ng Davao hanggang ngayon, kung ano po ang pagtrato namin sa inyo ay pantay-pantay,” expressed Go. “Kahit na dito sa Davao ay mayroon pong anti-discrimination law dahil ayaw naming nagkakaroon po ng diskriminasyon dahil para sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ay ang mga kapatid nating Muslim, tayo po ay Pilipino.”

(You know how much President Duterte and I love our Muslim compatriots. From then on, when he was the mayor of Davao until now, how we treat you is equal. Even in Davao, there is an anti-discrimination law because we do not want discrimination because for us and President Duterte, our Muslim brothers are also Filipinos.)

Despite the support given for his candidacy, Go stressed that he will remain focused on his duty as senator and in helping the country overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, saying, “Unahin muna natin ngayon malampasan itong pandemic. Ibig kong sabihin, kung hindi natin malalampasan ito, baka wala na tayong pulitika na pag-uusapan.”

(Let's first now get past this pandemic. I mean, if we can’t get past this, we might not have politics to talk about.)

“Unahin muna natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Mag-ingat tayong lahat dahil delikado habang nandito pa si Covid-19,” he added.

(Let us put the life and health of every Filipino first. Let's all be careful because it's dangerous while Covid-19 is still here.)

The gathering was attended by almost 100 grassroots leaders including national and local officials who have likewise expressed their commitment to continuing the work started by Duterte in the years to come. More than 300 leaders also attended online. More gatherings of grassroots leaders will be launched by the organizers in the coming weeks.

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