PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go reiterated his firm decision to decline the endorsement of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) National Executive Committee to be the party’s presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.

Go emphasized that he would rather focus on his mandate as an elected senator, help the country overcome the pandemic, and respond to the needs of Filipinos — away from the limelight — as he has done ever since.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa tiwala at suporta ng aking mga kapartido sa PDP-Laban, lalo na sa mga kasapi ng National Executive Committee na nagpasa ng isang resolution na nag-eendorso para sa aking kandidatura sa pagka-Pangulo sa darating na 2022 elections," said Go.

"Para sa isang simpleng probinsyano mula sa Mindanao, ang pag-endorsong ito ay isang malaking karangalan na para sa akin," he added.

In a letter addressed to party president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi dated August 30, Go stated that he is "deeply honored by the trust and confidence" to be endorsed as presidential candidate and run with President Rodrigo Duterte as Vice Presidential candidate. He, however, emphasized that he respectfully declines the endorsement.

In a response letter addressed to Go later that day, Cusi said that the NEC understands his position but is nevertheless determined to endorse him as PDP-Laban candidate for president.

"We trust and believe in your leadership qualities - which, among others, are: humility, sincerity, strong political will, honesty, good sense of justice, and innate goodness and goodwill towards your fellowmen, as exemplified by your Malasakit Centers," Cusi mentioned in the letter.

"These traits that you share with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte make you the logical successor to be our country's next President," the party president added.

Cusi added that Go is "the best candidate to tandem with President Duterte" and that the two of them are "the best pair to lead our country forward."

In spite of the continuous support and clamor of his partymates, Go said that he remains firm on his decision.

“As much as I wish to respond to the clamor of my partymates, I most respectfully decline the said endorsement ahead of the September 8 party assembly," Go again said.

Elected as Senator in 2019, Go’s term in the Senate is still until 2025. Hence, he stressed that his focus is on his legislative work, as well as in giving a voice to those he represents and in ensuring public service delivery to constituents, especially the needy and those who need government attention the most.

"Bilang chair ng Senate Committee on Health, mas nais kong mag-focus muna sa pagtulong sa pamahalaan at sa ating mga mamamayan na malampasan ang pandemya sa mas lalong madaling panahon," said Go.

"Hindi lang ito limitado sa pagsulong ng mga panukalang batas kundi kasama na ang representation and constituency services, lalo na para sa mga nangangailangan nating kababayan, katulad sa dati ko nang ginagawa noon pa," he added.

"Ipapasa-Diyos ko na lang ang lahat," Go remarked, indicating that he would leave his political fate to God.

Meanwhile, Go urged the public to be vigilant against fake news especially now that election season is nearing.

“’Yan ang problema sa pulitika dito sa atin, maamoy lang na may mga gustong tumakbo ka, kung anu-anong black propaganda at fake news na ang binabato sa iyo ng mga walang magawa sa buhay o ‘yung mga may pansariling interes,” he said.

“Huwag niyo ako problemahin dahil tulad ng sabi ko, wala akong planong tumakbo sa pagka-Pangulo. Kaysa manira kayo ng kapwa, tulungan niyo nalang ‘yung mga nangangailangan nating mga kababayan,” he added.

He then denounced those who take advantage of the vulnerabilities of Filipinos amid the ongoing public health emergency just to push their own political agenda and vested interests at the expense of the truth.

“Una, may nagsabi may bayaw daw akong drug lord. Dun palang fake news na kasi wala naman akong kapatid na ganun ang pangalan. Pangalawa, galit kami sa durugista kaya nga pinapahuli lahat ng drug lords na yan!,” Go said, pertaining to fake news being spread on social media that he has a sister married to a drug lord.

“Kulang na lang isisi nila sa akin ang pagkalat ng COVID-19, pag-takeover ng Taliban sa Afghanistan, o iba pang problema ng mundo ngayon. Sinabi ko na nga na wala akong interes na tumakbong Pangulo kaya tigilan niyo na ‘yang pagpapakalat ng kalokohan at kasinungalingan. Gumagawa lang kayo ng sarili ninyong multo na kayo lang ang natatakot,” he added.

“Nandito ako para magserbisyo, magbigay ng solusyon sa mga problema, at tumulong sa mga nangangailangan. Iyan ang pangako ko sa taumbayan. Kahit anong putik itapon niyo sa akin, hindi matitinag ang aking paniniwala na gawin ang tama at ipaglaban ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” Go ended. (OSBG)