PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the Duterte administration remains relentless in the fight against corruption as he expressed support for the probe being conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee into the proper use of funds for the country’s COVID-19 response efforts.

In a statement released on Friday, August 20, Go, who is a member of the said committee, reiterated his and President Rodrigo Duterte’s zero tolerance policy against graft and corruption.

“Sa kabila ng mga nagsisilabasang isyu hinggil sa paggamit sa pondo ng taumbayan, let me reiterate that my position against graft and corruption has been firm and consistent since day one — President (Rodrigo) Duterte and I will never tolerate any form of it,” said Go.

“Kahit sino ka man, kahit saan ka man nanggaling, kahit tumulong ka pa noong election kay Pangulong Duterte, basta may korapsyon o anomalyang mapatunayan ay dapat kang managot,” he maintained.

Despite the difficulties and challenges faced in the past five years, Go asserted that he and the President have remained unflinchingly committed to rooting out corruption and would never compromise for the sake of any one person.

“Ang layunin ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte ay isang malinis na gobyerno. Hindi kami papayag na sirain ito ng iilang may masamang hangarin. Tuloy-tuloy lang at hindi po titigil ang kampanya namin ni Pangulong Duterte laban sa korapsyon. Kahit sino ka pa, walang lugar ang korapsyon at katiwalian sa gobyerno,” continued Go.

“Pareho kaming galit sa mga magnanakaw. Walang lugar sa administrasyon ang mga corrupt na opisyales na nananamantala sa mga mahihirap na Pilipino, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na kung saan ang bawat piso ay napakaimportante,” he reiterated.

Go however appealed to fellow lawmakers and the public that while they rigorously seek for the truth, objectivity must be maintained in order not to pass judgment too early without knowing all the facts.

“Minsan ay hindi na nagiging malinaw kung ano ang totoo sa kung ano ang haka-haka lang … Base sa mga napag-usapan sa nakaraang hearing sa Senado, talagang kailangang busisiin pa ang mga naging COA initial findings upang lumabas ang katotohanan. Kung mapatunayang may nasayang, nawala, o nanakaw na pondo ng bayan, dapat kasuhan agad at ikulong,” Go also said.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go urged concerned agencies especially those subject to the Commission on Audit’s findings to thoroughly explain their expenditures related to the country’s COVID-19 response efforts. He emphasized that these issues should be clarified the soonest in order not to lose focus on addressing the pandemic.

“Apela ko rin sa lahat ng may kinalaman sa paggasta ng pondo ng bayan, dapat magpaliwanag kayo nang maayos, kumpleto at madaling maintindihan ng tao. Kapag naklaro na lahat ng mga isyu na ito, mas matututukan natin ang tunay na kalaban — ang COVID-19 at ang hirap at gutom na kasama nito,” he added.

Given this, the Senator called on government agencies to continue to work hard while ensuring that there are no irregularities in its transactions. He stressed that his relationships to those in the executive branch will not get in the way of his commitment to fight corruption.

“Ako po ay isang senador na noon pang 2019. Marami na po akong nakatrabaho sa gobyerno. Hindi porket nakasama kita sa trabaho noong 2016 ay aide ko na agad,” said Go.

“Pero kapag napatunayang pumasok ka sa corruption o katiwalian kahit saang opisina ka pa, pasensyahan tayo, hindi namin palalampasin ni Pangulong Duterte ito. Mananagot ka sa kasalanan mo sa gobyerno at sa mga Pilipino." (OSBG)