Bong Go prefers face-to-face debate with De Lima

MANILA, Philippines— Neophyte Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he is ready to debate with opposition Senator Leila de Lima but he wants to do it in person.

On Tuesday, Go playfully answered queries of reporters about his stand on a resolution, allowing De Lima to participate in plenary debates through video conference.

READ: De Lima open to sessions via teleconferencing

De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police’s custodial center in Quezon City over drug charges.

At first, he said he would just leave it up to authorities and the Senate to decide on the issue.

“Duda ko galit sa akin yun e,” Go told reporters, apparently referring to the detained senator.

But pressed on his view on the resolution, he said, apparently in jest: “Ayaw ko syang tingnan…”

Turning serious, Go reiterated that the issue would be decided by the Senate. After all, he said, he is just one vote in the upper chamber.

Though he said he would rather debate with De Lima in person.

“Mas gusto ko harap-harapan. Gusto ko harap- harapan. Yung personal talaga,” Go said.

“Gusto ko debate kami sa floor. Kung hindi, ako pupunta dun sa kanya, debate kami dun.”

After all, he noted how De Lima would always go against his and President Rodrigo Duterte’s stand on the issue.

“Sasabihin namin ni Pangulo na ganito ang gusto namin, para sa ikabubuti ng bansa. Sasabihin naman nya ikakasama ng bansa so lahat ng sasabihin naming ikakabuti, sasabihin naman nyang ikakasama. Kelan ba sya nagsabi na ikakabuti yung sinabi namin?”

“This is democracy so hayaan natin syang makipag-debate….” Go further said./ac