PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized once again that his full focus now is on helping the government’s COVID-19 response and vaccination efforts as he told the media who were asking about his reaction on issues leading to the 2022 elections to instead wait for the period of the filing of certificate of candidacy in October.
In an ambush interview during the inauguration of the One Hospital Command Center at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on July 12, Go said that he is more focused on the country’s COVID-19 response for now rather than the upcoming polls.
"Hintayin na lang po natin yung October 1 up to October 8, 'yun naman po 'yung panahon ng filing ng certificate of candidacy. So ngayon, nakatutok muna ako sa COVID response natin. Unahin muna natin itong pandemic na ito. Bakuna muna bago ang pulitika, said Go.
"Importante munang malampasan muna natin itong pandemyang ito dahil baka wala na tayong pulitikang pag-usapan kung uunahin natin 'yung pulitika. Unahin muna natin ang kaligtasan po ng bawat Pilipino. Bakuna muna bago ang pulitika," he added.
The Senator, on the other hand, has reiterated his support for Sara Duterte, the mayor of Davao City, if she decides to run for president in 2022, saying that he will offer her the same support, trust and confidence that he has given President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Kung ano po ang desisyon ng mga Duterte, suportado ko po. Kung ano po 'yung desisyon ni Mayor Inday Sara, suportado ko po 'yan at malaki po ang aking paniniwala sa kakayahan ni Mayor Inday Sara. Kung ano 'yung tiwala ko sa kanyang ama, ganun rin po ang tiwala ko sa anak," said Go.
Meanwhile, responding to speculations that he will be the running mate of President Duterte who expressed openness to run for VP in the 2022 elections, Go asked his partymates and the Filipino people to consider him last since he is not interested and his focus remains in helping Filipinos in need throughout the country.
"Salamat po sa mga kapartido ko pero let me repeat, hindi po ako interesado. Pakiusap lang po sa inyo, ihuli niyo na lang po ako kung wala na kayong mapili," asked Go.
"Talagang pagod na pagod na po ako sa ginagawa ko pero 'yung Pilipino talaga ang nagbibigay lakas sa akin para makapagtrabaho araw-araw," he added.
President Duterte intimated earlier this month that he would run for vice president in the forthcoming elections in order to "maintain equilibrium."
While Go recognizes that he is well aware of the work and responsibility of a President, he stated that he would rather help the Filipino people overcome the current pandemic than aim to seek a higher position.
"Alam ko po trabaho ng isang Pangulo. Nakita ko hirap ni Pangulong Duterte, nandiyan po sa tabi niya kita ko po ilang taon talagang mahirap at thankless job po ang isang Pangulo," he said.
"Hayaan niyo na lang po ako dito sa likod na tumulong sa ating mga kababayan gusto ko pa po nasa likod lang po, nasa background lang po ako dito sa pagtutulong," he ended. (OSBG)
