Lagman’s claim ‘figment of imagination’ — Go

Go previously stated that he has no intention of seeking higher office

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go refuted claims of Albay’s 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman that President Rodrigo Duterte’s potential vice presidential bid is motivated by his “goal” to become a “successor-president.”

The senator clarified that Lagman’s allegations are just a “figment of his imagination” since he is not a candidate for the presidency in the 2022 national elections and stressed that he does not aspire to become the country’s top leader.

Go added that it is highly unlikely that a winning president will vacate the post just to give way to Duterte should he win as vice president and there is no chance that the President will allow that.

“Who in his right mind will resign should they win as president?” said Go.

To recall, Lagman suggested that Duterte is aware that a vice president will not be immune from litigation and that his real intention for wanting to run for vice president is “to become successor-president the moment the office of the elected president in 2022 is vacated by design or fortuitous event.”

Go, however, refuted Lagman’s theory, saying that Duterte’s interest in running for vice president is fueled by his “unfinished business” and that the President still has a lot to offer the country.

“The President still has unfinished business as his term ends,” Go said. “He still have a lot to offer should he win as vice president.”

The senator also stressed that he and the President will respect the Filipinos’ choice for their next leader.

“We will respect the public’s decision on whoever they want to have as the leader of the country,” Go said. “Whoever wins, they are mandated to serve the people as the people have made their choice.”

He also noted that the Filipino people will be the one to determine who they wish to elect as president and vice president as the Philippines is a democracy.

Meantime, the senator reiterated that he has no intention of seeking higher office as he would rather focus on completing his mandate and serve the Filipino people, particularly in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) problem.