Senate OKs 2020 budget of OP; Bong Go ensures checks and balances over taxpayers' money

Affirming his commitment to ensuring checks and balances over taxpayers' money, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Tuesday, November 19, defended before the Senate plenary the 2020 budget of the Office of the President (OP) for which he is the sponsor.

"Rest assured, I will safeguard the interests of the public by ensuring proper checks and balances. Every centavo must be wisely spent to help and support the Filipino nation. It is the people's money and it is just right that the government should give it back to them," Go said in his opening statement.

Rationalizing the proposed budget of the OP which amounts to PhP8.2 billion, Go praised President Rodrigo Duterte's leadership, calling it "honest, transparent and corrupt-free."

He added that the President has been able to fulfill the desire of Filipinos for a just and honest leader "by laying a governance platform that centered on fighting against illegal drugs, corruption and criminality."

Go also said that the President "pursued programs that put the dignity and welfare of the Filipino people first, such as right to access better health services, to name a few."

As former Special Assistant to the President, Go also said that he has "seen, first-hand, the commitment and dedication of the men and women of this institution."

"Therefore, I have no doubt that President Duterte's office is using its budget solely for the benefit of the Filipino people," he ended.

With no senators wishing to interpellate, Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri moved to have the OP's budget deemed submitted and approved.