Bong Go vows support for Duterte's Legislative Agenda; Go's Bills highlighted in 4th SONA

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte expressed an optimistic outlook for his remaining three years in office as he delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The President in his SONA speech mentioned priority legislative measures for the betterment of the country in the remaining years of his term, citing some bills authored by his former special assistant and now Senator Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go.

"Additional benefits for solo parents, the assignment of health workers in all barangays, and the expansion of the Malasakit Centers, are what we hope to achieve through the bills filed by Bong Go," President Duterte stated.

"Totohanin mo lang, Bong, [baka] mapahiya tayong lahat," the President continued, reminding Go to fulfill his promises to the people.

As part of Go's legislative agenda aimed at helping the Duterte administration achieve positive genuine change felt by all Filipinos, the senator already filed his first 20 legislative measures before the 18th Congress started.

"Inuna ko po ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong pinaka-nangangailangan ng atensyon mula sa gobyerno. Para ito sa mga may sakit, mga ordinaryong manggagawa, mga biktima ng kalamidad, at mga kabataan na pagasa ng ating bayan. Ito ang serbisyong ipinangako ko sa inyo, serbisyo at pagmamalasakit na ramdam kahit saang dako ng bansa," he said.

These include proposed measures pushing for additional benefits for solo parents, improving the welfare of Barangay health workers (BHWs), the establishment of a separate executive department for Overseas Filipinos, a bill increasing the salary of civilian government personnel including teachers and nurses serving in public institutions, improving disaster resilience in the country, offering free legal assistance to AFP and PNP personnel, among others.

Likewise, part of Go's legislative agenda is to achieve quality healthcare more affordable and accessible to all Filipinos. This month, Go filed a bill that seeks to institutionalize the establishment of Malasakit Centers in more provinces and strategic urban centers in the country.

During his speech, the President also mentioned the need to postpone the barangay 2020 election, saying that "the Congress has to postpone the May 2020 elections and 'yung Barangay, Sangguniang Kabataan to October 2022 to rectify the truncated terms."

In support to that, Senator Go has filed a bill calling for the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections slated this May 2020 to October of 2022 to give barangay officials ample time to finish their respective programs and projects.

President Duterte has also expressed his support for the establishment of the National Academy of Sports for High School (NASHS) through The National Academy of Sports For High School Act of 2019 filed by Go.

Meanwhile, the President said that it is now time for Congress to approve a new version of the Salary Standardization Law. To address this, Go filed SB 200 or An Act Modifying the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel.

The President has also called on the Congress to reinstate capital punishment for heinous crimes related to drugs and corruption.

"I respectfully request Congress to reinstate the death penalty for heinous crimes related to drugs as well as plunder," Duterte said.

To support this agenda of the President, Go filed Senate Bill No. 207 which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) No. 9346 which abolished death penalty in the country.

Senator Go, meanwhile, congratulated the President for delivering an insightful and inspiring message for all the Filipinos. He also thanked the Filipinos as he promised that along with the President, he will continue his people-centered and service-oriented advocacies to prosper positive change in the country.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating mahal na Pangulo, simula't sapul katuwang ko na po ang Pangulo sa pagseserbisyo sa bayan. Ang aking mga ipinasa na batas ay larawan ng minimithi namin ng Pangulo na gawin komportable ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Asahan niyo po na mas magpupursigi pa po ako para sa kapakanan ng bawa't Pilipino. Maraming salamat po," Go said.