Press Release
October 13, 2021

Bong Go committed to become a 'working VP' as he denies 'substitution' speculations

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has denied speculations that he is paving the way for the candidacy of another individual through substitution, saying that he is well-decided to run for vice president in the upcoming 2022 elections.

"I can't speak for the other candidates. Hindi po ako makapagsalita kung ano po ang magiging desisyon ng partido... As far as I am concerned, sa aking tinakbuhang posisyon, desidido na po ako," Go said in an interview during the launch of the country's 143rd Malasakit Center at Doña Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental on Tuesday, October 12.

"Desisyon po 'yan ng partido at ni Pangulong Duterte since he withdrew, hindi na siya tumuloy bilang kandidato as vice president. Kaya ako po 'yung pinatakbo ng partido at ni Pangulong Duterte dahil kailangan po namin na meron tayong timon na magdadala at magpapatuloy ng mga adhikain ng PDP at ng administrasyong ito," he added.

Go said that President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to retire from politics prompted him to take on the challenge to run for vice president. He added that the ruling party, PDP-Laban, has been preparing for the elections and that someone must step forward for the party and the whole administration to continue its programs and pursue further the positive change that Duterte has started.

"So I accepted the challenge to run as VP candidate po ng PDP. Ako po ay desidido at tuloy tuloy na po ito ang aking pagtakbo bilang VP," explained Go.

Go mentioned that he is determined to continuing Duterte's legacy, assisting the country in overcoming the pandemic and providing a better life for all Filipinos, particularly for the most vulnerable, helpless, and hopeless segments of society.

"Ang importante para sa akin dito ay 'yung mga programang naumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte na maipagpapatuloy 'yung magagandang programa po at dagdagan pa natin ng iba pang programa na makatulong sa ating economic recovery dahil talagang nabigla tayo nitong COVID-19 pandemic," said Go.

"Ang importante para sa akin ngayon ay economic recovery, makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay. 'Yun po ang importante," he added.

Go then explained that despite his vice presidential bid, he remains focused on his duties as a senator and public servant.

"Ayaw ko munang pag-usapan ang pulitika kaya parati kong sinasabi, bakuna muna bago ang pulitika dahil baka wala na tayong pag-usapang pulitika kung hindi natin malampasan ang krisis na ito. Buhay po ang nakataya dito," he said.

Despite the overwhelming support, Go said that he will not be complacent about his chances in the polls. He reiterated that, at the end of the day, the Filipino people would choose who they want to lead them.

"Wala pong rason para magkumpiyansa dito. Ang taumbayan po ang huhusga kung sa tingin n'yo sino po ang makakapaglingkod o makakapagserbisyo sa inyo. Basta ako po, pagdating ng panahon, darating din ang panahon ng campaign period. 'Wag lang po ngayon, unahin muna natin ang serbisyo," said Go.

"Inuulit ko, hindi po ako pulitiko. Nagkataon lang po na nandito ako bilang inyong senador. Pero hindi ko ikinukunsidera ang sarili ko bilang isang senador lamang... Ikinukunsidera ko po ang aking sarili bilang public servant na handang magserbisyo po sa inyo," he added.

Not wanting to compare himself with other candidates, Go pledged to be a "working vice president" should the Filipino people elect him, stressing that he will not merely be a "spare tire," but rather a public servant who ordinary Filipinos can rely on.

"Ayaw ko pong ikumpara ang aking sarili sa ibang kandidato. Kanya-kanya naman po kaming ino-offer sa taumbayan. Kung ano ang pwede naming gawin," said Go.

"I will be a working vice president na 'di lang sa salita kundi sa gawa. Walang masasayang na oras, walang masasayang na minuto. Magseserbisyo ako sa inyo," he ended.

After the launch of the Malasakit Center, Go proceeded to distribute aid to small business owners at the Sinanduloy Culture Center in Tangub City and to various sectors affected by the pandemic at the Medina Gym in Ozamiz City. He also conducted a monitoring visit of the Malasakit Center in Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City.

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