‘Working vice president’

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has pledged to continue visiting communities across the country to listen to the concerns of the most needy sectors of society and provide solutions to their daily struggles.

“Opo, pangako ko sa Pilipino ‘yan. Bago pa po ako nakaupo bilang Senador, proclamation pa lang… Pagkatapos ng proclamation namin sa PICC, imbes na pumunta po ako sa restaurant para kumain, pumunta po ako sa nasunugan sa Caloocan,” said Go in an ambush interview during his distribution of assistance to various sectors in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

“Doon po ako nakipag-boodle fight sa kanila, dahil pangako ko po ‘yan sa mga kababayan natin. Makapagbigay ng tulong at solusyon sa kanilang mga problema at makapag-iwan po ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng kanilang pagdadalamhati,” he added.

Go filed his Certificate of Candidacy for Vice Presidency on October 2, accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte. Go said that his decision to run was motivated by his desire to carry on the Duterte administration’s legacy.

Go has vowed to be a “working vice president,” noting that he will not just be a “spare tire” but rather a public servant that ordinary Filipinos can turn to.

“I will be a working public servant po na walang masasayang ni isang minuto, ni isang oras po. Magtatrabaho po ako. Noon pa man hanggang ngayon at magpakailanman, kahit na senador o kahit ano na posisyon, magseserbisyo po ako sa mga kababayan natin,” he said.

The senator stated that carrying on President Duterte’s legacy will be a part of his vice presidential platform.

“Pagpatuloy ko ‘yung magagandang programa na inumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Nabanggit ko kanina, campaign against drugs, campaign against corruption in government, campaign against criminality, more (infrastructure) projects… Build, Build, Build. And, of course, economic recovery natin. ‘Yung pagbigay ng trabaho at pagsugpo ng kahirapan at gutom,” he said.

“Bigyan ho natin ng trabaho ‘yung mga nawalan po ng trabaho, ‘yon po unahin natin. Tulungan po natin ang ating mga kababayan na makabangon po. Magsipag, maging productive po… Mga nagsara na negosyo, tulungan rin po natin,” he added.

“And, of course, libreng pagpapagamot at libreng edukasyon. At least, one graduate per family po ang gusto kong mangyari,” he further stressed.

He also said that he has made up his mind to run for vice president in the next 2022 elections, putting to rest any concern that his candidacy will simply prepare the way for someone else to run.

“Tuluy-tuloy na po ang aking kandidatura bilang Vice President. At gagawin ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya na maipagpapatuloy ang mga programa po na naumpisahan po ni Pangulong Duterte,” said Go.

As a vice presidential aspirant, Go reiterated that he can work with anyone the Filipinos will elect as president. He, however, prefers someone who could particularly push for the continuity that the people want.

“Ako po, handa akong sumuporta kung sino man po ‘yung magiging pangulo. Kung ano po ‘yung natutunan ko kay Pangulong Duterte, itutulong ko po sa magiging pangulo,” said Go.

“Isa lang po ang hihilingin ko sa kanya, ipagpatuloy lang po ‘yung mga programang nakakatulong po sa mga mahihirap po. ‘Yung mga kababayan nating helpless, mga hopeless na walang matakbuhan, ‘yon po ang importante sa akin na unahin po natin, asikasuhin po natin sila,” he ended.

“Bawat buhay po ay pinapahalagahan natin lalo na ‘yung mga walang ibang matakbuhan. Sila po ang prayoridad natin dito, kapakanan nila ang pinaglalaban ko rito!,” he emphasized.

“Kapalit ng inyong tiwala at suporta, ibabalik ko sa inyo ang serbisyong may malasakit, tunay at nararapat,” he ended.