Bong Go denies plans to run for president

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go yesterday declared that he has no plan to run for president.

Reacting to President Duterte’s remarks before newly appointed government officials at Malacañang last Friday, Go said: “Allow me to clarify that I have no ambition to run for president.”

“You know that the President is always kidding. He really talks lively,” Go said.

Duterte, in his speech, reiterated that he would retire from politics but implied that Go might pursue the presidency.

“Do not nurture a personal loyalty to me. I don’t need it and I cannot run anymore so I don’t play politics. I’m out of it. It’s up to you to stay, except Bong Go. Maybe he wants to be president because he is in all the fire scenes,” the President said in Filipino, drawing laughter from the audience.

Go, in response, said that the presidency is God-given and not something to aspire for.

He recalled Duterte’s path to the presidency, saying that he was elected because he is the kind of leader the people needed.

Instead of talking about politics, he said he would just focus on his work as a senator and serving the people.

“You know, President Duterte was a mayor who was made to become president. I’m just a province boy who was made to become a senator. I cannot ask for more from God. I will give back to the people the services they need. I will just work. I’m happy to serve my fellow Filipinos,” he said.

As for the President’s remarks on the senator’s penchant for visiting fire victims all over the country, Go said he is “simply fulfilling his promise to all Filipinos.”

“The President mentioned, why I go to fire victims. That’s what I promised a long time ago, I will go to even every corner of the Philippines just to help Filipinos,” he said, adding that he could not just be sitting in his office in the Senate.

Go said as part of his mandate as an elected senator, all Filipinos could come to his office to seek help, “which is why he is taking the initiative to go to them, listen to their concerns, address their immediate needs and find solutions to their daily struggles.”