PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his support for Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s vice presidential bid in the upcoming May 2022 polls during his Talk to the People address on Monday, October 4.

In his message, the President expressed his confidence that Go will continue the positive changes and gains made by his administration.

“I strongly and fully believe that Senator Bong Go is the best person to help the next president continue my legacy and build on the gains that we have achieved, especially in terms of providing basic services to healthcare, education and other social services for the people,” according to the Chief Executive.

Duterte also commended Go’s track record of service and strong work ethic, saying that they are “rooted in compassion towards the poor and the neglected.”

“I strongly believe that he will be the best vice president of the country. With this, I encourage our kababayans to look at his deeds and achievements as you consider your list of candidates for the next vice president,” Duterte said.

In response, Go thanked President Duterte and the Filipino people for their untiring support to the administration’s advocacies and efforts to provide a comfortable life for all.

“Maraming salamat mahal na Pangulo. At sa mga minamahal kong kababayan, maraming salamat po sa patuloy na paniniwala at suporta ninyo sa amin ng Pangulo at sa buong administrasyong Duterte,” Go said.

He explained his decision to run for VP saying, “nabanggit ko noon pa na hindi ako tatakbong pangulo kung hindi si Pangulong Duterte ang Vice President dahil alam po natin na ito ang continuity na inaasam natin.”

“Kung papalarin po ako bilang susunod na Bise Presidente ay ipagpapatuloy ko po ang kampanya laban sa korapsyon, kriminalidad, at iligal na droga. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang mga magagandang programa tulad ng libreng edukasyon, libreng pagpapagamot tulad ng serbisyo mula sa Malasakit Centers, mga Build Build Build projects, at marami pang iba tungo sa ating hangarin na mabigyan ng mas maginhawa at komportableng buhay ang mga Pilipino,” Go explained further.

Should the Filipino people elect him, 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.

“Walang masasayang na oras o minuto, magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino gaya ng ginagawa ko ngayon bilang Senador at lingkod-bayan,” he said.

Go however clarified that despite his vice presidential bid, his focus now is on his duty as senator and in helping the government and the people overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Pero sa ngayon, ayaw kong pag-usapan muna ang pulitika. Unahin muna nating malampasan ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19. Bakuna muna bago pulitika,” he said.

“Tutukan muna natin ang economic recovery at ang pag-ahon mula sa pandemya. Ibalik natin ang sigla ng ekonomiya. Bigyan natin ng trabaho ang mga nawalan ng kabuhayan at siguraduhin nating walang magugutom. Higit sa lahat, huwag nating pabayaan ang mga mahihirap at walang matakbuhan,” he added.

“Importante po ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino kung kaya’t walang tigil ang ating serbisyo upang walang maiwan sa muling pagbangon ng bansa tungo sa pagbalik natin sa normal na pamumuhay,” Go expressed further.

Accompanied by Duterte, Go filed his own Certificate of Candidacy at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City last Saturday, October 2. During his filing, Go said that his decision to run was determined by his desire to continue the legacy of the Duterte Administration.

“Napag-desisyunan kong tumakbo bilang Bise Presidente sa darating na halalan upang maipagpatuloy ang mga magagandang programa at tunay na pagbabagong naumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte — at sisikapin nating dagdagan pa ang mga ito,” said Go.

Go’s vice presidential bid has also garnered support from various individuals and groups. Greco Belgica, chair of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, has already indicated his support for Go’s vice presidential run, as has the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan group that he heads.

Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, in a letter, has also stated his support for Go, saying, “We fully endorse and support your candidacy for Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines in the 2022 National Elections.”

“You truly personify the essence of public service. And you have already shown your commitment and capabilities since you worked in Local Government and National Government with then Mayor and now President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. And also your legislative work for the last three years is nothing short of outstanding,” he added.

Go, who traces his roots to the Tesoro clan of Batangas, was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon in 2019. They noted his years of service under President Duterte and “heart for his country” as evidenced by the countless projects he initiated that have helped millions of Filipinos.

Earlier, Go was officially nominated by the ruling party as its official candidate for the country’s top post. He respectfully declined the offer to run for the presidency, however.

“Para sa aking mga kapartido sa PDP-Laban at sa iba pang lubos na sumusuporta sa mga adhikain ng administrasyong ito, huwag kayong mag-alala dahil hindi namin kayo pababayaan. Nandirito pa rin si Pangulong Duterte bilang ating pinuno at number 1 campaigner. Wala pong iwanan sa laban na ito,” he assuaged his party mates.

“Tulad ng bilin ni Pangulong Duterte sa akin, parati po at tinatandaan ko ito: “unahin mo ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipino at mahalin natin ang ating kapwa, hinding-hindi ka magkakamali,” he finally said.