Bong Go appeals to partymates for understanding as he remains firm on not running for president in 2022; says he leaves his fate to God, the Dutertes, and the Filipino people

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go reiterated that he remains uninterested in running for the Presidency in the upcoming 2022 national elections.

In a radio interview on Saturday, September 4, Go said that while he is not interested in the presidency, he is also leaving his fate to God, the Dutertes, and the Filipino people to whom he owes the privilege to be able to serve the country as a senator.

"As I have said numerous times, I leave my fate to God, to the Dutertes, and to the Filipino people," said Go.

"Bakit to the Dutertes? Gaya ng sinabi ko noon, kay Pangulong Duterte may utang na loob ako, so sila po ang prayoridad, (pati ang) anak niya po si Mayor Sara (Duterte-Carpio)," he explained.

Go said that he wrote Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi dated August 30 officially declining the endorsement of its National Executive Committee to be the party's presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.

"'Di ko nga po maintindihan sino gustong maging Pangulo ngayong 2022. Puro nga sakit ng ulo, naghahanap pa tayo ng sakit ng ulo. Kaya ako na po ang umiiwas, ako na nakikiusap sa mga kapartido ko na ilang beses ko nang sinabi, sumulat na po ako last Monday, sinulatan ko ang PDP, sabi ko I am declining," said Go.

In the letter, Go stated that he is "deeply honored by the trust and confidence" to be endorsed as presidential candidate and run alongside President Rodrigo Duterte as Vice Presidential candidate. He, however, emphasized that he respectfully declines the endorsement as he would rather focus on his duties as senator particularly in terms of legislation, representation and constituency services.

In a response letter addressed to Go later that day, Cusi said that the NEC understands his position but is nevertheless determined to endorse him as PDP-Laban candidate for president.

"Pakiusap lang po, 'wag nyo na akong isama sa nominasyon dahil hindi naman ako interesado," Go again urged.

As someone who has seen President Rodrigo Duterte's work, Go said he understands the difficulties that come with the role. Go expressed his compassion for the President and stated that the pandemic has just added to the difficulty of the position.

"Hindi po ako interesado maging Pangulo dahil alam ko ang hirap po ng trabaho ng isang Pangulo," said Go.

"Alam ko nasa tabi niya ako, alam ko hirap na hirap kung trabaho ang pag-uusapan. Alam ko po dahil nakikita ko po ang hirap, naaawa na nga ako kay Pangulong Duterte. Sobrang hirap dahil hindi naman natin akalain na aabutan siya ng gitna ng pandemya," he added.

That said, Go mentioned that he is thankful that Duterte is the country's leader during these difficult times.

"Ako po ay nagpapasalamat na rin sa Panginoon dahil siya ang naging Pangulo ngayong pandemya dahil merong leader na nagpapagitna, timon, strong leader natin na pinapaniwalaan at pinapakinggan ng tao," said Go, highlighting Duterte's political will to get the job done.

"Siguro kung ibang Pangulo pa 'yan, puro sakit ng ulo tayo ngayon dahil ang daming ayaw makinig. 'Yun po ang problema natin. Buti na lang po meron tayong strong leader tulad ni Pangulong Duterte," he added.

Meanwhile, Go said he spoke with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, saying during the interview that "Unang una, ayaw ko pong makipag-kumpetensya dahil maraming umuudyok rin sa kanya na tumakbo bilang Pangulo."

"At sabi ko kung saka-sakali, nabalitaan ko nagpalista si Senator (Sherwin) Gatchalian bilang VP dahil nabanggit sa akin ng kapatid nya. Biniro ko po, sabi ko kay Mayor Sara, 'Mayor, nagpalista naman si Senator Win, magpalista na rin ako'," he recounted.

Go went on to say that he remains devoted to the Dutertes. If Mayor Sara decides to run for the presidency, Go has stated that he is committed to back her in any way he can.

"Alam ko naman pong devoted naman ako sa mga Duterte. Kung loyalty po ang pag-uusapan, kung ano ang pagmamahal ko sa Tatay, ganun na rin po sa kanyang pamilya," said Go.

"I'm the least of anyone's worries dahil hindi nga po ako interesado. Pwede naman akong maging campaigner nya, tutulong lang po ako," he ended.