Senator Christopher “Bong’ Go talk with President Rodrigo Duterte (FILE PHOTO)

While expressing his gratitude to his partymates in the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for their trust and support, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has repeated, hours after the party’s national assembly held in Pampanga on Wednesday, September 8, that he remained not interested in running for the presidency in 2022.

“Sa mga kasamahan ko sa PDP-Laban, muli, taus-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo para sa inyong tiwala at suporta sa akin at kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Para sa isang probinsyano at simpleng empleyado lamang na ginawa ninyong senador, malaking karangalan na po na kinonsidera ninyo sa pagka-Pangulo,” said Go.

“Subalit, inuulit ko, hindi po ako interesadong tumakbo sa pagka-Pangulo sa darating na halalan. Nakatutok po ang buong puso at isipan ko sa pagseserbisyo sa aking kapwa at wala po akong hangarin na makipagkumpitensya sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa bansa,” he added.

Instead, Go urged his fellow party members to support people who are keen on running and share Duterte’s political will to continue the change he has already begun.

“Unahin niyo na lang po ang may gusto. Ang importante ay hanapan natin ng katimbang si Pangulong Duterte upang maipagpatuloy ang pagbabago. Yun ang continuity na inaasam natin,” said Go.

Go said the ongoing pandemic will prove to be challenging for the next president, which is why he is committed assisting them in helping the country recover from it.

“Dahil sa mga pagsubok na hinaharap natin ngayon, sakit sa ulo ang aabutin ng susunod na presidente. Kaya tutulong na lang ako sa kanya,” he said.

Go said that he had already respectfully declined the party’s endorsement through a letter he sent earlier. He appealed to party members to respect his decision.

“Ito rin ang rason kung bakit nagdesisyon akong hindi mag-attend ng ating pagpupulong dahil ayokong magkaroon pa ng maling kahulugan ang pagpunta ko roon,” 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.

Despite declining the endorsement, Go reiterated that the party will continue to have his full support. Go also assured that he will continue to serve the Filipino people.

“Gayunpaman, asahan ninyo ang aking buong suporta sa ating partido,” said Go.

“Kahit hindi ako tumakbong Pangulo, patuloy pa rin naman akong magmamalasakit at magseserbisyo sa sambayanang Pilipino upang malampasan ang krisis na ating hinaharap at maipagpatuloy ang mga magagandang nagawa ni Pangulong Duterte,” he added.

Go also urged his fellow Filipinos to continue supporting President Duterte who remains determined to lead the country in overcoming the crisis.

“Nakikiusap po ako, patuloy nating suportahan at mahalin si Pangulong Duterte na totoong nagmamahal sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” he said.

He then reiterated that he leaves his fate to God, to the Dutertes, and to the Filipino people to whom he owes the privilege of being able to serve the country.

“Ipapasa-Diyos ko na lang ang lahat,” he ended.