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Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is running with Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in the 2022 national elections after the latter filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for president at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City.

Go shared that the PDP-Laban decided to field Senator Dela Rosa as the presidential candidate, emphasizing that the Bato-Go tandem was a party decision to ensure that the continuity of the Duterte Administration’s programs and vision can be pursued.

“Desisyon po ‘yon ng partido, and of course more than capable po si Bato bilang isang kandidato, bilang pangulo. Binoto po ‘yon ng tao, pinili rin po ng tao, magkasabay nga po kami,” Go explained.

According to Go, they are committed to further pursue the positive change PRRD has started towards overcoming the pandemic and providing a more comfortable life for all Filipinos — especially the most needy, helpless, and hopeless sectors of society.

“Sinabi ko naman po noon kung sino ‘yung makapag-offer ng nearest sa continuity ng mga programs ng ating mahal na Pangulo, yun ang prayoridad natin dito — ang maipagpatuloy ang mga magagandang nagawa ng Duterte administration,” he added.

As a vice presidential aspirant, Go reiterated that he can work with anyone the Filipinos will elect as president. He however prefers someone who could particularly push for the continuity that the people want.

“Gaya ng sinabi ko, nearest po doon sa continuity na inaasam natin. I can work with anyone, kahit sino pa ‘yan. Basta ipagpatuloy po ‘yung mga magagandang programa ng ating mahal na Pangulo. Iyon po ‘yung pinakaimportante, ‘yon po ‘yung hinahanap ng tao sa ngayon eh,” said Go.

“Ano po ‘yung buhay natin pagkatapos ni Pangulong Duterte? Kaya nga hinahanap natin kung puwede nga lang bigyan pa natin ng bagong termino ang ating Pangulo pero sabi niya matanda na po siya at bawal po sa Konstitusyon  na for another term. So ang inaasam natin is ‘yung makapagpatuloy po ng kanyang magagandang programa,” he added.

If elected, Go has pledged to continue and expand further the various programs initiated by the current administration which have brought positive change to the lives of Filipinos.

“Ang pinangako ko sa inyo ipagpatuloy ‘yung kampanya laban sa korapsyon sa gobyerno, kampanya laban sa kriminalidad, kampanya laban sa iligal na droga,” said Go.

“More Build Build Build projects, mga libreng edukasyon, at libreng pagpapagamot, paigtingin pa natin, pagandahin pa natin at tulungan po natin…unahin po natin ‘yung mga mahihirap – ‘yung walang matakbuhan, ‘yung mga helpless, mga hopeless po na mga kababayan natin na umaasa po sa gobyerno,” he continued.

Go also emphasized the need to prioritize economic recovery and the creation of job opportunities for Filipinos to overcome the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“And, of course, economic recovery and job opportunities. ‘Yon ‘pag naka-recover tayo, ekonomiya natin unti-unting buksan ang ekonomiya, magkakaroon tayo ng marami pang trabaho,” said Go.

“Makabalik unti-unti sa normal na buhay ang ating mga makababayan. Iyon po ang importante ngayon,” said Go.

Go filed his Certificate of Candidacy in Pasay City on October 2, accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte. Go said that his decision to run was motivated by his desire to carry on the Duterte Administration’s legacy.

The senator pledged to be a “working vice president” should the Filipino people elect him, stressing that he will not merely be a “spare tire,” but rather a public servant who ordinary Filipinos can rely on.

Go then explained that despite his vice presidential bid, he remains focused on his duties as a senator and public servant, especially in assisting the government and the general public in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sabi ko nga, mamaya na muna ‘yung pulitika tapos na ‘yung filing deadline na po ngayon, let’s go back to work. Unahin po natin ‘yung pagseserbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan, nag-aantay po sila sa ating serbisyo,” said Go.

“Bayad po tayo dito para magserbisyo po sa kanila. At  malampasan muna natin itong pandemyang ito dahil baka wala na tayong pulitikang pag-uusapan kung hindi natin malampasan ito,” he ended.

During his filing of candidacy, Dela Rosa also vowed to continue the flagship programs and legacy of Duterte if he is elected by the Filipino people as president.

“‘Yung laban sa droga, ‘yung sa krimen, sa corruption, sa terorismo, sa anti-insurgency — ako ang napili nila na magpapatuloy. So kung suswertehin tayo, ituloy natin ‘yan,” Dela Rosa said.

“Kasi ‘yan naman ang rason bakit ako pinili ng partido — para ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan ng ating Pangulong Duterte,” he added.