Bong Go supports Katarungan Desk initiative, joins signing of anti-corruption manifesto

In an effort to strengthen the anti-corruption drive of the Duterte Administration, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Wednesday, November 13, joined the signing of the Manifesto of Support to the anti-corruption campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte and the introduction of the Katarungan Desk during an event at the Presidential Museum and Library in Malacañang Palace, Manila.

Katarungan Desk is a one-stop shop for the public to lodge all kinds of complaints regarding corruption, peace and order, and similar matters. The desk comes with "dulugan" forms and a drop box where Filipinos can send their complaints related to the government.

The initiative has been launched initially at LRT, MRT and PNR stations and terminals.

Likening the Katarungan Desks to Malasakit Centers, Go said that the initiative aims to streamline the delivery of government service to Filipinos.

"Katarungan na desk, parang similar rin po ito sa ating Malasakit Center natin. Ang atin naman dito, kung paano mapapabilis ang serbisyo sa mga tao. Huwag na natin pahirapan ang ating mga kababayan," Go said.

Go added that the Katarungan desk aims to make it more accessible for the public to reach the government and for their concerns to be heard and addressed.

"Sa Katarungan Desk, magkakaroon na po ng mabilis na access ang ating mga kababayan na hindi na kailangan ng atin mga kababayan na maghanap ng mga opisina kung saan sila magsusumbong," he added.

He further said that, "Narito po tayo bilang trabahante ng bayan para magserbisyo po sa kanila at para mapabilis ang serbisyo para hindi na po nila kailangan pa na magpalaboy-laboy sa daan upang humingi ng tulong."

As partners of the President in governance, Go urged officials to value the trust given to them by the public by supporting the government's campaign against corruption.

"Tayo ang may utang na loob sa taong bayan. Kaagapay po tayo ng Pangulo sa pamumuno, at malaki ang tiwalang ibinigay sa atin ng taumbayan, kaya responsibilidad natin na samahan ang Pangulo sa kaniyang kampanya laban sa katiwalian," said Go, adding that no taxpayers' money should be lost to corruption.

"Ang pera ng mga Pilipino ay dapat na ibalik sa mga Pilipino. Wala po tayong dapat sayangin o ibulsa kahit piso."

Go added he remains committed to ensuring that officials involved in corruption are put to justice, saying "Sa amin naman po sa Senado, hindi po hearing for publicity dito. Kami ng Pangulo, sa totoo lang po, walang labis, walang kulang. Kung sa tingin namin ay may nagkasala ay dapat may managot."

The senator also assured Filipinos that the fight against corruption will be unrelenting and encouraged them not to hesitate in expressing their concerns.

"I encourage Filipinos, magsabi kayo. Wag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Nandito po kami para bigyan kayo ng katarungan. Siguraduhin natin na tuloy-tuloy ang pagbabago, masupil ang kurapsyon, mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot. Tayo mismo ay maglingkod ng maayos at marangal at tapat," he said.

Ending his message, Go enjoined the government officials and employees to always prioritize and promote the welfare of Filipinos in fulfilling their mandate.

"Lagi po nating isipin ang ating mga kababayan. Buhay nila ang nakasalalay sa mga serbisyo ng gobyerno. Buhay ang nawawala sa bawat pondong kinukulimbat," Go said.

"Hindi po kami titigil until the last day sa termino ni Pangulong Duterte at ako rin po until to the last day of my term sama-sama tayong labanan ang kurapsyon. Gawin natin ang ating sinumpaang tungkulin. Gawin natin ang tama," he concluded.