Bong Go on formal withdrawal from presidential race: ‘Bakit ba tayo nagmamadali? ‘

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday said he sees no need to rush his official withdrawal from the 2022 presidential race and that he first wants his supporters to understand why he will no longer seek the presidency in 2022.

“Bakit ba tayo nagmamadali?  Bakit tayo nagmamadali?  Sinong nagmamadali?  Iilan lang po ang nagmamadali.  Pero mas importante rin po sa akin ipa-intindi muna ‘yong mga nagdurugo mga puso, ‘yong mga nagpagod na po, eh kandidato na rin po ako as vice president,” Go told reporters.

(What’s the rush? Who is rushing? There’s just a handful of them.  What is more important is that i let my supporters understand why I am withdrawing,  those who were with me even when I was a vice presidential candidate.)

“Nagpagod na po sila para sa akin.  Unti-unti ko munang ipinapa-intindi sa kanila na please lang po, intindihin niyo po ang aking sitwasyon.  Sakripisyo po muna ako, wala naman po talaga akong ambisyon,” he added.

(I will let them understand gradually the reason behind my withdrawal, I appeal to them to understand my situation.  I will have to sacrifice first.)

Go, on November 30 announced that he is no longer pursuing the presidency, as it may place his former boss, President Rodrigo Duterte in a tough spot.

Go earlier filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president but later opted to seek the presidency.

Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who is running for vice president, opted to team up with former senator and presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos  Jr.

Go said that he will personally withdraw his candidacy at the Commission on Elections’ main office in Intramuros, Manila, only if his supporters do not show up and try convince him to reconsider.

“Nakiki-usap nga ako sa kanila, huwag na kayong lumabas, dahil pinipigilan nga po nila ako magsumite.  Pag pumunta ako doon, pipigilan nila ako.  ‘Pag wala nang tao doon, pupuntahan ko,” he said.

(I appeal to my supporters not to troop to the Comelec main office to try and stop me from officially withdrawing from the race.If I show up, they’ll try to stop me, I’ll go there if there is no crowd.)

“‘Yun pa rin po ang aking posisyon, as a matter of principle sabi ko, ‘Wag niyo na po ako i-consider na candidate’.  Nakiki-usap na nga po ako sa mga leaders po, ‘wag niyo na po ilagay ‘yong tarpaulin, sabi ko ‘tanggalin niyo na lang po’, ‘wag na kayo magdagdag ng tarpaulin,” he added.

(That is still my position, as a matter of principle. Do not consider me a candidate anymore. I appeal to my leaders not to put up my posters, please take it down.)

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