SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go assured Filipinos that the Duterte administration remains focused on overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic in order to provide a more comfortable life for all as promised by President Rodrigo Duterte.

He stressed that while the government respects freedom of speech, officials must remain unfazed amid criticisms and put their focus on serving the country, fulfilling their mandate, and helping the Filipino people overcome the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and other crisis situations.

In line with this, he reminded the opposition to offer concrete solutions and lend a hand in the government’s COVID-19 efforts instead of incessantly criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte and the government.

“Alam n’yo sa totoo lang, malapit na pong matapos ang termino nilang dalawa, ni Pangulo at ng Pangalawang Pangulo. So far, wala naman po akong nakitang konkretong suhestiyon mula sa ating Bise Presidente,” said Go right after he attended the launch of a Malasakit Center in Masbate Provincial Hospital, Masbate City on Monday, June 28.

“Puro batikos pero wala namang binibigay na alternative workable solutions na makakatulong po sa ating bayan,” said Go, referring to criticisms from Vice President Leni Robredo.

“Alam n’yo noong nakaraan, noong wala pang bakuna, binabatikos – nasaan daw ang bakuna? No’ng nandidiyan na ‘yung bakuna – bakit iyang bakuna ang dumating? Ngayon marami nang bakuna – sinasakyan naman,” he added.

Claiming that it is ineffective in governing Filipinos, Robredo criticized Duterte’s “fear-based” leadership on Sunday. She referred to Duterte’s request to arm civilians so they can help in the government’s fight against crime.

Duterte proposed arming volunteers who would help apprehend criminals at the launch of the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers on June 26.

“If he goes voluntarily with you, good, it is ideal. But if they resist arrest violently, then you have the right to do your thing [that is] commensurate. You are not supposed to kill a person lying, kneeling, begging for his life,” the President earlier said.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, the Senator stressed that now is the time for the entire country to work together, especially its leaders, rather than just criticize.

“Alam n’yo, kanya-kanya naman tayong trabaho eh. Ang gustong makita ng Pilipino ngayon ang taong nagtatrabaho at nagseserbisyo,” Go pointed out.

“Hindi po ito ang panahon ng pagbabatikos, hindi po ito ang panahon ng pagsisiraan. Ito po ang panahon ng pagtutulungan. Hindi po nakakatulong ang pagbabatikos,” he added.

He, then, advised critics to help in the government’s efforts or ‘keep quiet’ if they do not have anything better to do to serve the people.

“Tumulong ka na lang. Kung wala kang maitulong, then just keep quiet po. Importante ngayon ang mga kababayan nating naghihirap,” he advised.

Meanwhile, Go assured all Filipinos that the government is doing its best so the country may quickly overcome the pandemic.

“Ginagawa po naman ang lahat ng gobyerno. Ginagawa naman ni Pangulong Duterte ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya. And in fact, nagtatrabaho po ‘yan 24/7, bente-kwatro oras po ‘yang nagtatrabaho para sa ating mga kababayan,” Go said.

“Ano pa bang hinahanap natin? Nandidiyan po ang ating pangulo, 76 years old na nagtatrabaho po para po malampasan natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” he ended.

Earlier, Go appealed to the country’s leaders to set aside political differences in order to beat COVID-19.

“Isipin natin ang kapakanan ng Pilipino. Sana ay wala munang pamumulitika. Isantabi muna ang pulitika at unahin natin ang kapakanan ng mga mahihirap, lalong-lalo na ang mga ‘isang kahig, isang tuka’. Magkaisa na lang tayo,” appealed Go.