Allies in Cebu: Go to the Senate, Bong
Some political leaders in Cebu believe that Christopher “Bong” Go, who is often seen beside or just behind President Rodrigo Duterte, deserves his own spot in the Senate.
Deputy House Speaker Gwen Garcia, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella, and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino were among the personalities who turned up at the launch Friday of the Cebu is Go movement. Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing couldn’t make it but sent Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wasn’t at the launch either, but told a press conference that he would support Go’s candidacy, too.
Supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte in Cebu are urging his assistant, Christopher “Bong” Go to run for the Senate in next year’s midterm elections.
The “Cebu is Go” movement, which is being initiated by Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, will soon start launching in other areas in the Visayas such as Tacloban, Iloilo and Bacolod.
Aside from Dino, some city and town officials in Cebu were present to state their intention to support Go’s candidacy, should he decide to run for senator.
Some mayors who attended the activity yesterday were LapuLapu City Mayor Paz Radaza and members of her City Council.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will support the candidacy of Special Assistant to the President Bong Go if the latter decides to run as senator.
Although he is from a different political party, Osmeña said Go is a long-time friend and that he will support his candidacy because he is from Mindanao.
While Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing was not present during the activity, Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna came on his behalf.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and some members of Team Rama were also present.
Town mayors led by Tuburan Mayor and League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP) Cebu chapter president Democrito “Aljun” Diamante were also present.
You may be very smart but if you don’t have the heart for the country, for the Filipinos, for the Cebuanos, then usik imong pagkabright.
MICHAEL LLOYD DINO Presidential Assistant for the Visayas
While only Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia was present during the activity, at least seven congressmen from Cebu are supporting Go’s run for the Senate.
In an interview, Dino said he wants Go to run for senator as he can represent the President’s interest and that of the Cebuanos in the Senate.
He also believes that Go can win a place in the Senate due to his “heart to serve others.”
“He has the heart, importante man gud ning kasingkasing. Bright lagi ka tinuod pero kung wala ning kasingkasing, nothing is going to happen. You may be very smart but if you don’t have the heart for the country, for the Filipinos, for the Cebuanos or for the Bisaya, then it’s useless, usik kaayo imong pagka-bright,” Dino said.
If Go’s candidacy will push through, Osmeña said Go will be endorsed by his local political group, the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.
This, even if other supporters, like Dino, who is known to be in conflict with Osmeña and other officials, will support the candidacy of Go.
Osmeña said Go will be a great help to President Duterte.
“I’m doing it because he is a good candidate. I have known Bong Go even before Duterte became president. He was always the right hand,” he said.