PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, on Wednesday, June 15, assured Filipinos that President Rodrigo Duterte remains committed and will continue his campaign against illegal drugs in the country even after his term and in any capacity as a private citizen.
“Ang nabanggit naman po niya, bagama’t private citizen na siya ay ipapagpatuloy pa rin po niya ‘yung kampanya niya laban sa iligal na droga bilang isang private citizen. Marami naman pong paraan na ipagpatuloy po itong kampanya,” said Go during his distribution of assistance to residents of Tarlac City in Tarlac.
One way to achieve this, according to Go, is for the outgoing president to use his influence and continue pressing Filipinos to be more disciplined and to refrain from using illegal drugs.
“Ibig sabihin, maaari po siyang magsalita bilang private citizen, maaari po siyang manghikayat sa ating mga kababayan na maging disiplinado at iwasan po ang iligal na droga,” said Go.
When asked what he values most about Duterte's leadership, Go said that it is his love and compassion for his fellow Filipinos, as well as his strong political will.
“‘Yung pagmamahal sa kapwa Pilipino. Alam n’yo po, nakakalungkot dahil bababa na siya sa kanyang puwesto. Pero ‘yung natutunan ko talaga sa kanya ‘yung tapang at ang political will sa trabaho at ‘yung pagmamalasakit sa kapwa Pilipino,” said Go.
In his capacity as a senator, Go assured that he will assist Duterte's aim by continuing to advocate for and support sports development in the Philippines. Sporting pursuits, according to Go, will keep Filipinos away from dangerous drugs.
“Ako naman po, bilang Committee Chair on Sports sa Senado, ang advocacy ko po talaga ay sports and health. Kaya iniengganyo ko po ang ating mga kababayan na layuan po ang iligal na droga. Get into sports, stay away from drugs,” said Go.
“Kaya namimigay po ako ng bola para hikayatin po sila na mag-basketball na lang po tayo, mag-volleyball na lang po kayo at iba pang sports,” he added.
Go has been a strong supporter of the grassroots development of sports in the country. On Tuesday, June 14, the senator joined Duterte in the inspection of the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. Go said that the facility is the Duterte Administration's gift to the youth.
“Isa po sa mapalad na probinsya ang Tarlac dahil ito po ang napili ng kauna-unahang National Academy for Sports. Ito pong eskwelahan na ito – training at the same time pag-aaral, pag-aaral at the same time training. Wala pong masasakripisyo,” said Go during the interview.
Go hopes to expand the NAS system by establishing more academies in different parts of the country.
“Iyan po ang eskwelahan na ito. Kung maganda naman po ang magiging resulta, isa po sa isusulong ko bilang Committee Chair on Sports sa Senado ay magkaroon po na maging regionalized po itong eskwelahang ito,” said Go.
“Dadagdagan po per region, bibigyan po ng pasilidad doon, at makapag-training po ‘yung mga potential athletes natin at the same time na nag-aaral po. Marami po iyan sa buong Pilipinas,” he added.
Finally, Go went on to say that he and the president would continue to put the well-being of Filipinos first, particularly the hopeless and helpless.
“‘Yung puso niya po sa mga mahihirap. At iyan naman po ang aming inuuna talaga ni Pangulong Duterte – ‘yung mga mahihirap, ‘yung mga helpless at ‘yung mga hopeless,” said Go.
“‘Yung mga walang matakbuhan na mga Pilipino na umaasa po sa tulong ng gobyerno. Iyon po ang dapat unahin natin – ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap,” he ended.
On the same day, Go also conducted a monitoring visit of the Malasakit Center at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital. (OSBG)
