Bong Go calls for fairness, impartiality in Senate probe
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go said the truth behind the alleged misuse of COVID-19 funds must come out so that the whole country can bring back its focus on addressing the COVID-19 crisis.
He again appealed for fairness and impartiality in the ongoing Senate probe in order for cases to be filed against those who should be held accountable. At the same time, those who are innocent can already move on and focus on helping the country overcome the pandemic.
“Hinihimok ko ang aking mga kasamahan dito na kung sa tingin niyo ay may atraso ang sinuman, kasuhan na kaagad. Ibigay natin sa Ombudsman, ‘yun naman po layunin ng komiteng ito, miyembro rin po ako, sa lalong madaling panahon at ikulong. Meron naman tayong Sandiganbayan,” said Go during a Senate hearing conducted by the Blue Ribbon Committee.
Go added the investigation is now dragging on just to find ways to implicate other personalities. He asked, “Kaya ano pa ba ang gusto ninyong palabasin sa hearing na ito? Na sangkot si Pangulo sa korapsyon? Ano ba talaga ang gusto nating palabasin dito?”
Go frowned on such insinuations since President Duterte himself has demanded that criminal cases be filed against those who should be held accountable.
“Nagsabi na nga ang Pangulo na yariin niyo na po ang dapat yariin, Pharmally, wala po siyang pakialam diyan. Kung pinagtakpan namin ni Pangulo, ibang usapan po iyon. Pero kami na nga ang nagsabi sa inyo, yariin, kasuhan at ikulong po kung may anomalya,” said Go.
“Ano pang gusto nating gawin dito? Ipilit ikino-connect sa administrasyon, kay Pangulong Duterte at gawing political circus itong pagdinig? ‘Yung katotohanan lang po, ako po ay kaisa ninyo para malaman po ang katotohanan. Kawawa naman po ang mga tao na wala naman pong kinalaman,” he added.
Go cited that he and President Duterte said that they are willing to resign should it will be proven that they are involved in corrupt practices.
“Nagsabi na rin ang Pangulo na kung sangkot siya sa korapsyon, sabi ni Pangulo, kapag siya mismo sangkot sa korapsyon, he will resign. Ako rin po, nagsabi na ako na kung sangkot ako sa korapsyon at anumang illegal na transaksyon sa gobyerno, ni piso, I will resign,” said Go.
Go then asserted that he and President Duterte are both working hard to ensure that the government overcomes the pandemic and they will never tolerate any form of anomaly in the process. He also warned those using his and Duterte’s names for their own personal interests that favors will never be granted to anyone based on connections especially ‘name-droppers’.
“Maaaring hindi maiiwasan na magamit ang pangalan namin ni Pangulo, pero parati naman naming sinasabi na kapag ginamit ang aming pangalan namin o meron pong nag-name drop, sabi na nga ng Pangulo pag ginamit pangalan namin, ibig sabihin huwag ninyong tulungan,” said Go.
“Eh marami na pong pinakasuhan si Pangulong Duterte na ginamit ‘yung pangalan namin. ‘Yung iba diyan, mga mukhang pera. Nakatikim na po ng pera, at pinakain niya ng pera,” he added.
Go also responded to government critics who, he says, are making noise just to get attention. These individuals, according to the Senator, are more concerned with discrediting the administration to lift their political value rather than assisting in the pandemic response.
“‘Yung mga taong wala nagawa sa bayan, pilit na nag-iingay para mapansin. Pilit na naninira ng kapwa. Pilit pong dumihan ang kapwa para sila ang pumuti. Wala kasi silang ginawa kundi magdada, habang nagdurusa po ang mga kababayan natin,” said Go.
While expressing his support for the ongoing probe, he underlined that such efforts must remain impartial and free of politics in order for the truth to come out.
“Sana po ay huwag na tayong magsiraan, nasa krisis po tayo. Hindi po ito panahon ng pagsisiraan, panahon po ito ng pagtutulungan gaya na rin po ng sinabi ng mga kasamahan natin dito, marami po ang naghihirap dito,” said Go.
“Sana po ay huwag nating haluan ng pulitika ang kontra COVID-19 dahil Pilipino po ang nakataya dito, lalong-lalo na po ‘yung mga mahihirap po. Kapakanan po ng mga mahihirap ang nakataya dito, buhay po ang nakataya dito,” he added.
He also reassured the public that the President is not protecting anyone and is only fighting for the interest of the Filipino people.
“Wala pong pinagtatakpan ng Pangulo. Sabi nga niya, kung may kasalanan, yariin na po at kasuhan na. Wala po kaming pakialam… Alam niyo ‘yung pinagpipilitang Pharmally na ‘yan, wala po kaming kinalaman ni Pangulong Duterte diyan,” said the Senator.