Bong Go appeals to fellow candidates to prioritize public service over politics; urges everyone to work together to help Filipinos in need amid the pandemic

Senator and vice presidential aspirant Christopher "Bong" Go vowed that his focus now is to continue serving those in need in fulfillment of his duties as a senator and public servant despite being a candidate for the upcoming national elections. He urged fellow candidates and other officials seeking office in 2022 to do the same.

"Ako naman po magtatrabaho pa rin ako dahil senador po ako, hindi naman ako considered resigned, hindi naman po ako appointed or nasa appointive position, ako po'y halal," said Go during an ambush interview after attending the inauguration of the Wellness Entertainment Sports or WES Arena in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City on Thursday, October 7.

"So ako po'y magtatrabaho pa rin po bilang Committee Chair on Sports and Committee Chair on Health. Magtatrabaho pa rin ho ako," he added.

He also urged government officials to continue promoting Filipinos' interests and well-being, particularly during the pandemic, so that the country can continue on its path to recovery.

"Lahat naman tayo. Kung sino po 'yung may trabaho pa, 'yung mga elected diyan na hindi naman considered resigned, magtrabaho muna tayo. 'Yung iba naman po kahit na resigned kayo, kung gusto niyo makatulong, magtrabaho muna tayo dahil baka wala tayong pulitikang pag-uusapan kung hindi natin malalampasan ito," Go pointed out.

Go emphasized that the priority of the whole country should be in overcoming the pandemic first before engaging in the campaign, saying "pagkatapos ng filing, kalimutan muna natin ang pulitika, may panahon diyan sa Pebrero."

"Eh kung tataas na naman po ang kaso sa susunod na taon, sino po ang maghihirap? 'Yung mga kababayan natin. Magsasara na naman ang ekonomiya, marami pong mawawawalan ng trabaho. Unahin muna natin 'yung kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan," he appealed.

"Ulitin ko sa mga kapwa ko kandidato, kung mahal niyo po ang inyong kapwa Pilipino, kung mahal po natin ang ating kapwa Pilipino, unahin muna natin 'yung kapakanan nila," he added.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go continues to encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as he commended the executive branch for successfully implementing the country's vaccination program.

"Concern ko po ito - ang kalusugan po ng bawat Pilipino. Tingnan na na-encourage ba 'yung mga Pilipino na magpabakuna, tingnan po ang ating Executive na talaga pong nai-implement nang maayos 'yung pagbabakuna, walang masayang na bakuna, walang masayang ni isang piso po na pera ng gobyerno dito sa implementasyon ng ating COVID response," said Go.

Go then wished good luck to everyone running for office in 2022, reaffirming his call for them to put the welfare of Filipinos first.

"Good luck po sa lahat ng mga kandidato, good luck. At ang message ko lang sa kanya ay sabi ko nga, unahin po natin 'yung kapakanan ng ating kapwa Pilipino," said Go.

"Sa mga kapwa ko kandidato, kapakanan ng Pilipino ang unahin natin lalung-lalo na ngayon naghihirap tayo. Malampasan muna natin itong krisis na ito. 'Pag nalampasan natin sa susunod na taon, kumbati na tayo," he added.

Asked what guidance or advice Duterte gave now that he is running for vice president, Go replied that while the President does not interfere with his work, he always reminds him that prioritizing their well-being and loving his fellow Filipinos will never fail him.

"Halos araw-araw naman po siyang... Sa pag-uusap po namin ay kinukunsidera ko na pong payo, 'yung mga natutunan ko sa kanya sa pagtatrabaho. Isa lang naman po ang paalala niya. Alam mo hindi nakikialam si Pangulo paano mo dalahin ang opisina, paano mo patakbuhin 'yung opisina, paano ka magtrabaho," said Go.

"Isa lang po ang pinapaalala nya sa akin - unahin mo lang ang interes ng Pilipino, unahin mo lang ang kapakanan ng Pilipino, at mahalin mo ang kapwa mo Pilipino, hinding-hindi ka magkakamali. 'Yun lang," he ended.

Meanwhile, Go said that he can work with any President that will be elected by the Filipino people. He shared that his party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan will support a Presidential candidate who can pursue the continuity that the people want.

"Ang aming pinuno, Chairman namin, si Pangulong Duterte, at siguro naman po'y pinoproseso pa ng partido ang lahat," said Go.

"Ako naman po, makakatrabaho naman po ako kahit kanino, kahit sino pa 'yan," he added.

The Senator emphasized that it is important for the presidential candidate the party may support to be willing to continue the progress and positive change that the Duterte Administration has initiated.

"Importante po sa akin kung sino po 'yung pinakamalapit, pinakamalapit sa continuity," he said.

"Ibig kong sabihin 'yung mga magagandang programa po ni Pangulong Duterte na nagawa para sa ating mga kababayan ay ipagpatuloy po - 'yung kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, kampanya laban sa kriminalidad, kampanya laban sa korapsyon sa gobyerno, mga Build Build Build projects, ito pong mga libreng edukasyon, libreng pagpapagamot. 'Yung mga magagandang programa, ipagpatuloy po natin," he added.

If elected, Go assured Filipinos that he will continue to be of service to them through his hard work and compassion, using the lessons he gained working as aide of President Rodrigo Duterte and as a senator.

"Kung sino po ang papalarin, tutulong po ako, kung ano po 'yung nalaman ko kay Pangulong Duterte - experience ko sa trabaho, sa Executive, as legislator po," Go said.

"Ito lang po ang puwede ko pong ipagmalaki. 'Yung sipag ko lang po at pagmamalasakit at pagmamahal at pagseserbisyo sa kapwa Pilipino. 'Yun lang po ang puwede kong maitulong po kung sinuman 'yung papalarin," he added.