Press Release
September 11, 2021

Bong Go says his decision has not changed despite PDP-Laban nomination; reiterates he is not interested to run for president

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Friday, September 10, reaffirmed his decision not to run for the presidency in 2022, saying he plans to continue serving the people in his own capacity and in support of the government's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview given after distributing relief to the flood victims in Biñan City, Laguna, Go explained that regardless of position, he will continue to serve his fellow Filipinos to the best of his abilities. He recognized the tremendous tasks facing the next president given the ongoing health crisis and vowed to support whoever is elected in getting the country back on its feet.

"Uulitin ko, hindi ako interesadong tumakbo dahil alam ko sakit ng ulo ang aabutin ng susunod na Pangulo. Pwede naman akong tumulong sa kanya. Kung sino man 'yung magiging susunod na Pangulo, susuportahan ko siya," said Go.

"Sanay akong magserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino na nasa likod. Hindi naman kailangan na ako 'yung tumakbo. Ang importante ay malampasan natin itong pandemyang ito," he continued.

The Senator added that he hopes that the next president will be able to continue the work of President Rodrigo Duterte for the betterment of the Filipino people.

"Kung sinuman ang ibibigay ng Panginoon pagdating ng panahon ay tanggapin natin. Ang importante para sa akin 'yung katimbang ni Pangulong Duterte and, of course, 'yung nagmamalasakit sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Iyun ang hahanapin natin pagdating ng panahon," he encouraged.

When asked about his party's recent nomination of his candidacy, Go maintained that it did not change his decision. He, however, thanked his fellow members in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan for the trust and confidence they placed in him to serve as President Duterte's running mate in the upcoming elections.

"Nine days before the convention, sumulat na ako sa PDP-Laban. Sabi ko, 'wag niyo nalang ako isama sa nominasyon pero sinali pa rin nila ako. Salamat sa mga ka-partido ko, salamat sa tiwala, sa inyong walang sawang suporta sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte," said Go.

"Kahit tumanggi na ako sa posibleng nominasyon ay itinuloy niyo pa rin. Pero nabanggit ko noon na kahit nominado ako ay hindi pa rin ako interesadong tumakbo bilang Pangulo," he insisted.

Go also declined to comment on the political plans of Davao City Mayor and First Daughter Sarah Duterte-Carpio who recently announced that she would not run for president.

"Nakapagbigay na ako ng aking statement at no comment ako diyan ... Nabanggit ni Mayor Sara Duterte na iisang Duterte lang ang tatakbo ... ako naman nirerespeto ko 'yun. Sabi ko nga, I leave my fate to God, to the Dutertes kung ano 'yung magiging desisyon nila and, of course, sa mga Pilipino na nagbigay sa akin ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo," said Go, who added that he is focused on supporting President Duterte's vice presidential bid.

"So, hintayin nalang natin kung ano 'yung pinal na desisyon. As of now, nagdesisyon na ang ating mahal na Pangulo na tumakbo bilang Bise Presidente ... bilang mga miyembro ng PDP, nakatutok kami doon. So, no comment nalang muna ako sa ibang mga possible na magiging tandem," he concluded.

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