Duterte confident Go can win Senate seat

President Duterte said he is confident Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go has a big chance of winning a Senate seat in next year’s elections.

Duterte made the remark in his speech at the 16th founding anniversary of the Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development in Davao City Friday night.

In his speech he delivered in Bisaya, Duterte boasted that his longtime right-hand man is a formidable candidate.

“Look, he will win as senator... I will bet on it. He would make a great senator. He’s really a bright man,” he said.

He said Go enjoys the support of all sectors, including the military and police.

“Please don’t forget that guy at the back, who has slanted eyes, when the time comes,” the President said referencing Go.

Go is being urged by his supporters to run in the Senate and Duterte himself has indicated he would support his assistant “to the hilt.”

Among Go’s most avid supporters is Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, who was also the principal convenor of the “Ready! Set! Go!” movement which was launched in Intramuros, Manila, early this month.

The launch was attended by other Cabinet officials including Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.

Go insists he has no political ambition and instead vowed to serve Duterte until his last breath.

“He is my adviser, my mentor, and my boss. I am very, very happy to be endorsed by Mayor Rody. Nawawala ang pagod ko kahit 24 hours magtrabaho (I feel rejuvenated even if I work for a straight 24 hours),” Go said in a Facebook post Friday night.

“But it is still too early to talk about politics. Humbled, challenged and motivated, mag du-duty muna ako kay boss at sa kapatid nating Pilipino (I will serve the President and our fellow Filipinos for now),” he added.

Go had earlier likened his choice to serve to that of a janitor who helps other workers in an institution.

“Let’s not talk about being a senator for now. I will remain here as a janitor for now. That is better, we can do everything and help people as an all-around utility man,” he said in an interview early this week.