Sotto endorses Bong Go’s Senate bid

MANILA, Philippines – “Let’s work together in the Senate.”

This was the message of senatorial aspirant and former Special Assistant to the President  Christopher Lawrence “Bong ” Go to Senate President Vicente “Tito”Sotto III who endorsed his senatorial bid recently.

Go was one of the preferred senatorial candidates of Sotto for the May 2019 midterm elections.

“Salamat sa tiwala ni Senate President Tito Sotto. Gusto ko mag tulungan tayo (sa Senado) kung kawaan ako ng Panginoon, “ Go said in an ambush interview after Sotto made his formal personal endorsements in Calamba, Laguna

Senate President Tito Sotto discusses key matters with former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go during the launch of the Luntiang Pilipinas party list’s 10 Million Trees Challenge in Calamba, Laguna. Sotto also endorsed the Senate bid of Go.

He noted that long before he decided to run for the Senate, Sotto has already committed to support him should he opt to throw his hat in the political arena.

“Matagal na po kaming nagkausap, matagal na niyang sinasabi na kung sakaling tatakbo ako susuportahan niya ako,” recalled Go.

For his part, Sotto said that he is supporting Go because he had known him for a long time and he can vouch for his integrity.

“Alam ko yung tubo niya. Alam ko yung hubog niya,” Sotto said.

Like President Rodrigo Duterte, whom Go had served for over 21 years, Sotto has also waged a consistent campaign against illegal drugs.

10 million trees

Go and Sotto were together during the national launch of the Luntiang Pilipinas party list’s “10 Million Trees Challenge” at Rizal Plaza in Calamba City Hall, Calamba, Laguna.

Luntiang Pilipinas is a nationwide urban forestry program committed to the promotion of environmental protection and awareness of Filipinos.

Founded in 1998, Luntiang Pilipinas has forged partnerships with various government agencies, private business partners, schools and universities, and non-government organizations in its aim to establish forest parks in their respective localities and establishments.

“Maraming salamat sa inyo at inimbitahan ninyo akong makibahagi sa programang 10 million tree challenge ng Luntiang Pilipinas party list,” Go said.

Pro-environment

He vowed to support the pro-environment agenda of the group, noting that President Rodrigo Duterte himself wants to protect the country’s environment.

“Alam nyo naman po ang ipinaglalaban ni Pangulong Duterte.  Ako po mismo ang naging saksi sa walang habas na pagpuputol ng puno sa ating mga forested areas at walang tigil na pag-abuso sa ating kalikasan. Nakakaiyak, nakakadismaya, nakakagalit ang nakita natin,” Go said.

“Susuportahan po natin itong challenge na ito. At tulad po nung proyekto, nung Plastik ni Juan project ng Eat Bulaga, nina Sen. Sotto, suportahan po natin itong Luntian project, itong pagtatanim (ng mga puno),” he added.

Serving the people

Go said his support of pro-environment efforts is in line with his pledge to serve the Filipino people.

“Minsan lamang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kaya kung anong mabuting pwede nating gawin sa kapwa gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo daraan muli sa mundong ito,” Go said.

“Kami ni Pangulong Duterte magseserbisyo po kami sa inyo dahil ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go said.

Fighting crime, drugs

He likewise vowed to support President Duterte’s campaign against criminality, corruption, and illegal drugs.

Healthcare services, Malasakit Centers

For his legislative agenda, Go has identified the improvement of the delivery of medical services in the country as one of his top priorities, noting that many public hospitals lack the necessary facilities and equipment to handle the large volume of patients.

Go is also proposing a law to establish Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban areas of the country.

A brainchild of the former SAP, the Malasakit Center is a program of the Duterte administration that seeks to make it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room concerned agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO and Philhealth.

For OFWs, seniors, education, housing

Other priority concerns under Go’s legislative agenda for his Senate bid include programs for agriculture, education, housing for the poor, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks barangay welfare, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and improved benefits for senior citizens. /gg