Senator Christopher “Bong” Go mourns the passing of former president Benigno Simeon Aquino III who died in the morning of Thursday, June 24, at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City.

Go said that Aquino, whom he met during the latter’s visits to Davao City, is a good friend and a big loss for the Filipino people.

“I mourn the untimely passing today of former president Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III. I sincerely and deeply condole with his family and friends,” Go said during his attendance at the unveiling ceremony of two commemorative stamps launched by the Philippine Postal Corporation to mark the 450th anniversary of the founding of the City of Manila.

“Ako po nakikiramay, malaki pong kawalan sa ating bayan si sir president Noynoy Aquino. At sa kanyang pamilya, kaibigan ko naman po ang kanyang kapatid na si Kris,” he added.

The Senator recalled his light moments with Aquino every time the latter visited Davao City and the numerous occasions they crossed paths.

“Kasama namin ni Pangulong Duterte si dating Pangulo Noynoy Aquino, noong 2009, 2010 noong tumakbo po siyang Pangulo. Nandiyan po sa litrato at pinagkampanya po ni Pangulong Duterte dahil na rin po ‘yun sa paniniwala at utang na loob ni then Mayor Duterte sa pamilya ni Noynoy Aquino dahil in-appoint po siyang Bise Mayor noong 1986. Nakakalungkot po na sa napakabatang edad pa na pumanaw po,” said Go.

“Alam n’yo, parati kaming nagbibiruan ni Noy noong unang panahon. Kapag tuwing bumababa siya ng eroplano, parati niya akong tinutukso dahil kamukha ko raw ‘yung dating Secretary. In fact, tuwing uwi niya ng Maynila, pinapadalhan ko siya ng chili con karne na paborito niyang kainin sa eroplano pauwi ng Manila,” he recalled.

Go said that he will visit the wake of Aquino in accordance with protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Basta payagan lang po, if allowed by the IATF ‘yung mga protocols masusunod, plano po namin ni Secretary (Salvador) Medialdea na makabisita kaagad,” said Go.

He added that Secretary Medialdea was already instructed by the President to extend all courtesies due Aquino, as a former president of the country, and to his family.

After the event, Go attended the inauguration of the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital at the Burnham Green in Rizal Park.

In an earlier statement Go expressed his sympathies on the passing of Aquino and praised his work in serving the Filipino people.

“I join a grateful nation in prayers for the eternal repose of his soul and for the strength of his family in grief. May the late president’s siblings and relatives find comfort in the thought that we are thankful to him for having dedicated his life in the service of the country and our people,” he said.

“Mataas po ang respeto namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kay former president Noynoy Aquino. Nakasama namin siya sa maraming mga okasyon lalo na sa kanyang pagtakbo bilang pangulo noong 2010 at nasilayan namin ang kanyang tunay na pagmamahal sa kapwa Pilipino. Salamat po sa inyong serbisyo sa taumbayan,” he added.