President Rodrigo Duterte with Christopher “Bong” Go in Malacanang.
INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC
Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday said he was “not interested” in running for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections.
“I would like to publicly state that I am not interested in running for a Senate seat,” Go said in a statement, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte teased his trusted aide to seek a Senate seat.
Duterte, during a speech at the 116th anniversary of the Bureau of Customs on Tuesday, urged Go to attend the Senate investigation on the P15.7-billion frigate deal of the Philippine Navy, saying it would be his aide’s “golden opportunity” to become a senator.
“Kaya sabi ko nga (So I said), there was a talk, sinabi sa kanya (I told him), ‘you’ll be called to testify.’ Sabi ko, ‘That is your golden opportunity para ma-senador ka (to be a senator).’ Gusto atang tumakbo ng senador (He probably wanted to run for senator), sige, si Bato gusto ring mag-governor (Bato also wanted to become a governor),” Duterte said.
The President was also referring to Philippine National police (PNP) chief Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa who once intimated that he wanted to become a governor.
But Go said Duterte was only joking.
“[Duterte] only mentioned it in jest in view of my demand to the Senate to conduct a full blown public hearing and get to the bottom of the Frigate controversy,” he said.
Go has been accused of intervening in the Navy’s selection of the weapons system supplier. Go has denied this and said he was open for investigation.
Go, who became Duterte’s aide in 1998, also said that he was “dedicated” to serve the President “’til kingdom come.”
“I have dedicated my life to serving PRRD (Duterte) and I am committed to stand beside him till kingdom come,” he said.
“I’m not interested to run kasi I’m committed to serve Mayor Rody hanggang kamatayan, kung di ako mauna,” he added./ac