APPLICANT FOR VICE PRESIDENT: Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go

CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE “BONG” GO

Personal information

• 47 years old
• Born on June 14, 1974
• From Davao City
• Affiliated with Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-Laban

Educational background

• Degree in Management, De La Salle University

Government experience

• Special assistant to President Duterte (2016 to 2018)

• Incumbent senator of the Philippines

Go is best known for his relationship with Duterte, where he started as the former’s personal aide since 1998.

In 2016, Duterte appointed Go as special assistant to the President “with general supervision over the Presidential Management Staff.”

Go then ran for senator in 2019, where he ranked third overall.

As senator, among the laws authored by Go are Senate Bill No. 1706 seeking to build Malasakit Centers in all Department of Health-run hospitals, which later became Republic Act No. 11463.

In July 2020, Go came under fire for asking the National Bureau of Investigation to probe social media posts that were critical of him. Several subpoenas were sent all over the country, one of which was for a college student.

Go was also being linked to former undersecretary Christopher Lloyd Lao of Department of Budget and Management ‘s Procurement tagged in the alleged overpricing of COVID-19 pandemic supplies procured by the government. The senator denied closeness with Lao as well as any involvement with the allegedly anomalous transactions.

COC filing

In an unexpected move, Go filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Saturday, Oct. 2, to seek the vice presidency, saying if he wins, he will be “a working vice president” and not “a spare tire.”

Go said Duterte, who accompanied him during the filing of his COC, decided to withdraw his acceptance of the nomination by the PDP-Laban.

“So, I am here to take on the challenge as PDP-Laban’s vice presidential candidate.”

Go and the President arrived late Saturday afternoon at the Habor Garden Tent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City, the venue being used by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the filing of COCs for candidates for president, vice president, senators and party-list representatives.

“If I am blessed and given the opportunity by my fellow Filipinos, and with the guidance of our Lord, I will be a working vice president who will do all I can to serve you all,” Go said in his speech in Filipino.

“I’m not going to be a spare tire or just a reserve. Expect me to really work – not just in word, but in deed,” he added.

Go said he “does not want to be remembered as just another senator or vice president. I want to be remembered as a public servant who could be easily approached by any ordinary citizen and wholeheartedly serves for the good of our country.”

“I am Kuya Bong Go and my vice is to serve. I am here to continue the real change we hope for,” he added.

Go explained he decided to run for vice president in the coming election to continue the programs and real changes that Duterte started, particularly on the war on drugs, corruption and crimes.

“First of all, our campaign against illegal drugs, corruption and crime must be relentless. It is up to the people to judge whether their children are safer now and there is no fear because of criminals and addicts,” Go noted.

He said the President’s initiative should not be wasted, “so we will work harder to protect the lives and future of our children over the next six years.”

Go said the Duterte administration made so many accomplishments, especially in the economy, if it had not been hit by the crisis. “We will try to get our lives back to normal and lift our countrymen out of poverty because more and more people have lost their jobs and are starving.”

Go vowed to address poverty and hunger in the country and provide prompt and proper health services to the people, similar to the assistance from the Malasakit Centers.

He said he would pursue “Build, Build, Build” projects to carry out a more convenient and comfortable life for all.

“I intend to pursue and expand these efforts further towards overcoming this pandemic by achieving economic recovery, providing job opportunities and addressing hunger and poverty,” he added. “I am determined to fulfill my role as a bridge for the poor, the needy, the hopeless, and the helpless – connecting them to their government so that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed during these trying times.”

He thanked his PDP-Laban partymates and other supporters and told them not to worry as he will not let down the Filipino people, which has always been the guidance to him by President Duterte.

Go was nominated as standard-bearer by the PDP-Laban faction headed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi but he declined.

PDP-Laban is split between Cusi’s group and the faction of Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who decided to run for president under the Probinsiya Muna Development Initiative or PROMDI party.

The Comelec has not decided which faction would be recognized for the 2022 elections.