MANILA -- A movement dubbed as "Ready, Set, Go" was launched Wednesday to persuade Special Assistant to the President Christopher ‘”Bong” Go to run for senator in the 2019 midterm elections.
The event, which was organized by friends of Go and Cabinet members, was held at the Ilustrado Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila.
Go’s name as a possible senatorial candidate floated when President Rodrigo R. Duterte, during his speech after leading the destruction of smuggled luxury vehicles last Feb. 6, told his trusted aide to use the Senate probe on the Philippine Navy’s frigate deal as a “golden opportunity” to become a senator.
Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, in a manifestation of support from members of the House of Representatives, highlighted Go's remarkable traits beyond his widely-known trademark as the "selfie king" and the President's long-time aide.
"Kilala natin siya, ng mga tao, na palaging naka-alalay sa Pangulo. Kilala siya ng tao bilang 'selfie king' na si Bong Go. Mas nakilala siya ng maraming Pilipino nang humarap siya sa kontrobersiya sa Senado. Lumabas siya na malinis ang pangalan at buong-buo ang pagkatao (We know him. He is known by the people as the loyal aide of the President. He is known as Bong Go, the ‘selfie king’. He was recognized by many Filipinos when he faced the [frigate] controversy at the Senate. He came out with a clean name and unscathed dignity)," Velasco said.
"Pero mas kilala namin siya bilang kaibigan namin na si Bong Go na matapat. Kilala namin siya sa pagiging mapagkumbaba. Dahil sa mga katangiang ito na alam namin na higit pa sa pagkakilala ng mga tao na alalay lang siya ng Pangulo, na higit pa sa kinaaaliwan ng mga tao na ‘selfie king’ lang si SAP Bong Go (But we know him as Bong Go, our loyal friend. We know him for his humility. These traits show that SAP Bong Go is more than just an aide of the President and a 'selfie king')," he added.
Velasco said Go, if he becomes senator, would push for Duterte's federalism advocacy.
"Alam namin na pangungunahin niya sa Senado ang pag-alalay sa ultimong hangarin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang maipasa na ang Pederalismo na mag-aahon sa kahirapan ng Pilipino at mag-aayos sa landas na tinatahak ng Pilipinas (We know that his priority once he is in the Senate is to help push President Duterte's ultimate goal of federalism, which would raise people out of poverty and straighten the path the Philippines is taking)," Velasco said.
"Ito ang mga dahilan kung bakit hinihikayat namin si SAP Bong Go na maging kinatawan ng sambayanang Pilipino sa Senado (These are the reasons why we encourage SAP Bong Go to be a representative of the people in the Senate)," he added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano said it is time to put in someone in the Senate who is "positive, productive, and optimistic" rather than someone who sows discord and stirs unrest.
"Panahon na (It is time) to build a nation and not just keep destroying the reputation of our country and our people," Cayetano said.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez also expressed full support for Go in his possible senatorial bid, describing him as "smart, action-oriented, and patriotic".
The movement was attended by Cabinet members, among them Cayetano, Lopez, National Security Adviser
Hermogenes Esperon, Communication Secretary Martin Andanar, and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
Also present were congressmen Jericho Nograles, Ancieto Bertiz, Luis Raymund Villafuerte; PDP-Laban members, and members of non-governmental organizations.
House of Representatives Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has reportedly said he would persuade Go to join the 12-man senatorial line-up of the PDP-Laban in the 2019 midterm elections.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also threw her full support for Go if he decides to join the senatorial race in the 2019 midterm elections.
She said she would be “more than willing” to support Go, especially because he contributed a lot of things to the President. (PNA)
