'Nothing unethical in fighting corruption while pursuing fairness and due process' says Bong Go as he refutes claims of unethical behavior

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said in a radio interview on Saturday, September 4, that there is no basis for filing an ethics case against him because his conscience is clean and he has not engaged in any disorderly or unethical behavior that would warrant such a case.

"Handa akong magpa-imbestiga. Wala akong itinatago, wala akong kinatatakutan at narinig nyo sa aking speech, sabi ko wala akong koneksyon kay (former undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management Lloyd Christopher) Lao. Abogado 'yan ng Pangulo," said Go.

"Nagkataon po isa sa mga nakatrabaho ko noon pero hindi ibig sabihin naging abogado ka ng Pangulo, tumulong ka kay Pangulo, nakatrabaho kita, kapag pumasok ka sa kalokohan ay ligtas ka na. Wala po kaming pinipili (sa kampanya laban sa katiwalian)," added Go.

This is in response to various statements made by fellow senators about the possibility of filing an ethics complaint against Go.

"Ano pong unethical doon sa ginawa ko? Ako pa nga mismo ang nagsabi na kasuhan 'pag may kasalanan, ikulong 'pag may kasalanan... Ang ibig kong sabihin dahil lang sa nakasama mo sa trabaho, abogado ng Pangulo, guilty ka na by association or by mere interpretation?," Go lamented.

He pointed out that in order for an ethical complaint against him to succeed, accusers must first show evidence of wrongdoing or disorderly behavior. He referenced past ethical suits brought against senators that were not even resolved.

"Kung 'yon lang po ang sasabihin nila dahil kakilala ko at nakatrabaho ko ay unethical na 'yon, ay mali naman po 'yon.. Ang tanong doon kung kasuhan ka, ano bang unethical na ginawa? Nagproteksyon ka ba? May inutos ka bang masama? Eh wala. Ako pa mismo ang nagsasabi 'pag may kasalanan kasuhan mo at ikulong mo," he said.

"Wala po akong tinatago, so wala akong dapat ikabahala dito sa usapan diyan. So, I'm sure, I hope that fairness and due process will always be upheld sa amin sa Senado."

The Senator went on to explain that he does not fear being investigated since he has nothing to hide.

"Ibig kong sabihin dito, malinis po ang aking konsensya. Wala po akong kinatatakutan dahil wala akong ginagawang masama," Go stressed.

Go then said that in the Senate, due process must prevail, as he urged his colleagues to respect one another rather than use their influence to destroy one another and pursue their personal or political interests.

"Ibig kong sabihin, respetuhan po tayo. Kung may kasalanan, managot. Kung may unethical na ginawa, managot," said Go.

"Pero kung wala naman po, 'wag nating gamitin ang Senado para lang po husgahan at siraan ang ating mga kasamahan," he added.

Go also emphasized that as a duly elected senator, it is his right and responsibility to speak out in pursuit of fairness and the truth.

"Karapatan ko po 'yon bilang isang senador at iisa po ang aming layunin dito, ang sugpuin po ang korapsyon. Sabi ko naman po sa kanya labanan natin ang korapsyon, isa po tayo diyan sa paglaban kontra korapsyon. Kaya sabi ko, pero kapag may mali naman po magsasalita po ako," he said.

"Hindi po ako natatakot na magsalita. Nandito po ako, inihalal din po ako ng taumbayan, pareho lang po kami na gawin po ang aming trabaho. Passion ko po ang magserbisyo...to the point na naituturing na bisyo ko na po ito," he added.

On August 31, Go indicated in a privilege speech that if allegations of corruption against him are proven, he is willing to resign, saying that he stands by his name and reputation as a modest public servant from the province willing to do what is right to help fellow Filipinos.

"Talagang gagawin ko po ang lahat po bilang senador. Bagama't baguhan lang ako sa Senado matalo man nila ako sa debate, matagal na sila diyan, beterano, pero pantay-pantay kami. Ang pinagmamalaki ko po ang aking pagseserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino," he emphasized.

"Ang hinihingi ko lang naman po ay respeto. At ako po malinis po ang aking hangarin, pangalan lang po at prinsipyo ang pinanghahawakan namin. 'Yon lang po ang puhunan ko rito, pagseserbisyo, pangalan at prinsipyo," he said.