SENATOR Christopher Bong Go warned local leaders against tolerating their constituents for violating health protocols against COVID-19 as he emphasized that they should be the ones implementing measures to avoid the further spread of the virus.

In an ambush interview after he attended the launch of the 114th Malasakit Center in Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City, Go said that President Rodrigo Duterte has high hopes and confidence that local leaders will strictly implement the health protocols in their jurisdictions as it is part of their responsibilities as barangay officials.

“Kayo po ang nasa baba, kayo po ang nakakaalam sa mga kapitbahay ninyo kung sino po ang nag-iinuman, sino ang nagpa-party, ibig sabihin sitahin niyo po at ‘wag n’yo payagan sa inyong lugar dahil ‘pag tumaas ang kaso kulong po kayo. Sino ba naman ang aasahan ng ating Pangulo kung hindi kayo po, ‘yung persons in authority. Kayo po ang mayroong otoridad na manghuli diyan sa inyong lugar … kayo po ang mananagot kung ‘di niyo ipapatupad ang batas sa inyong lugar,” Go said.

Go’s statement came after some barangay officials reportedly failed to implement health protocols in their jurisdictions, allowing mass gatherings and other events amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte issued a stern warning to barangay officials for allowing mass gatherings within their areas during his Talk to the Nation address on Wednesday.

“Hindi naman talaga krimen na may ginawa kayo but most of you are committing a crime kasi alam ninyo na after a gathering, after swimming together, a lot you will get positive na for COVID-19,” Duterte said.

“Binabalewala ninyo ang pakiusap ng gobyerno, and it’s criminal for you to get the COVID and pass it on to another innocent person. It is really a crime. Ipakulong ko kayo. I will look for a suitable law because you are now forcing my hand to get into this thing and control it,” he added.

Putting his trust and confidence in the barangay leaders, Go urged them to heed the President’s call to strictly implement the health guidelines.

“Ako naman po, malaki ang tiwala ko sa mga barangay captains. Sa mga kapitan, pakiusap naman po ‘yung kay Pangulong Duterte na ipatupad n’yo po ang batas sa inyong mga lugar,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go also warned individuals who are allegedly selling and distributing COVID-19 vaccines or vaccination slots illegally as he asked the public not to fall prey to said perpetrators. He also reminded Filipinos that the ones being rolled out by the government are given for free.

“Bawal ‘yan. Bawal po ‘yang nagbebenta. Pwede po kayong kasuhan at pwede kayong makulong d’yan at ‘wag kayo maniwala kapag nagbebenta ng bakuna. Peke ‘yan, ‘di yan totoo,” said Go.

“Malay n’yo isasaksak sa inyo peke. ‘Wag kayo magpapaloko at sa mga nanloloko po, ingat kayo baka kapag umabot ang karma sa inyo, ibabakuna sa inyo ang mga anti-rabies kaya ‘wag n’yo po pagsamantalahan ang pagkakataong ito dahil naghihirap ang Pilipino,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the Senate recently approved on second reading 13 local hospital bills which Go sponsored as chair of the Senate Committee on Health.

“Nitong nakaraang linggo, 13 na Local Hospital Bills ang naipasa natin sa second reading sa Senado. Ipinaglaban ko at pinaghirapang maipasa ang mga ito para sa kapakanan ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan,” he said.

“Para sa akin, walang tulog ang pagseserbisyo. Nagtatrabaho ako 24/7, kahit anong oras at araw pa ‘yan. Basta tama at sang-ayon sa polisiya, ayaw kong may papatay-patay sa trabaho dahil sa bawat oras na sinasayang natin, buhay ng ating mga kababayan ang nakasalalay rito,” he added