SENATOR BONG GO (FILE PHOTO)

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reminded fellow public servants of the importance of the virtue of humility in public service. He stressed that Filipinos can distinguish leaders who actually help others from those who simply keep talking.

“Kaysa tayo tayo ang nagbubuhat ng ating sariling bangko at nagpapagalingan, hayaan nating ang taumbayan ang humusga sino ba talaga ang nagtatrabaho at nagseserbisyo at sino ba talaga ang puro salita,” said Go.

“Hindi niyo na po kailangan i-enumerate ang mga nagawa ninyo. Kung totoo ‘yan, hayaan ninyo na yung mga nakabenepisyo ang magsalita. Nasa gitna pa po tayo ng pandemya, pero pansin na pansin na ang mga gusto magpasikat,” he added.

In a privilege speech delivered on Tuesday, August 31, he urged colleagues to work together with the executive branch to help the country overcome the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

“Nasa public health emergency po tayo ngayon. Pandemya po ang kalaban natin at hindi ang isa’t isa. Panahon ito ng pagtutulungan at pagbabayanihan. Huwag natin sayangin ang oras sa siraan at sisihan,” said Go.

Go also urged critics that instead of putting all the blame on the Duterte administration, the whole government must work as one to overcome the challenges that Filipinos are facing.

“Huwag niyo po isisi sa Executive lahat ng mga problema ng bansa dahil pare-pareho lang naman tayo ditong nagsisilbi sa bayan,” said Go.

“Pero kung may pagkakamali sa implementasyon, panagutin. Huwag ninyo po isisi sa kanila ang inabutan nilang sistema dahil resulta yan ng ilang taong mga batas na naipasa rin mula sa plenaryong ito na kinagisnan nalang ng lahat at pilit nating isinasaayos. Kaya nga ito tinawag na ‘in aid of legislation’ para ayusin ang dapat ayusin,” he said.

He also assured them that President Rodrigo Duterte will not tolerate anyone engaged in corruption, whether they are his supporters and allies or not.

“Mr. President, uulitin ko — mismong si Pangulong Duterte, ayaw ng katiwalian sa gobyerno. Kahit sino ka man, kahit saan ka man nanggaling, kahit tumulong ka pa noong election kay Pangulong Duterte, marami na pong nasibak diyan, kapag pumasok ka sa korapsyon, yari ka po,” he said.

Go then reiterated his commitment to the fight against corruption but cautioned that due process and fairness must be upheld at all times.

“We are one with you in eradicating corruption in this country. Now, if you believe that people have committed crimes and should be punished, then file the necessary cases or give our prosecutors sufficient evidence to ensure that these people are indeed punished,” said Go.

“Patunayan natin kay Pangulong Duterte at lalo na sa mga kababayan natin na may kahihinatnan ang mga hearing na ito,” he said.