Palace defends Bong Go over 'breach' of Comelec's 4-companion rule

MALACAÑANG defended on Tuesday, October 16, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, who was embroiled in an issue of reportedly violating the poll body's fourcompanion rule for the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2019 midterm elections.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Go was not to blame when he exceeded the number of companions allowed to accompany him to the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila when he filed his candidacy for senator.

Under the Comelec rules, election hopefuls are allowed to bring only four companions when they file their certificates of candidacy.

Go, however, filed his COC on Monday, October 15, with an overwhelming entourage that included President Rodrigo Duterte, several former and incumbent Cabinet members, members of the Presidential Security Group, and around two dozen supporters.

But Panelo said those who accompanied Go voluntarily went to the Comelec office to express their support for the senatorial bid of Duterte's former long-time aide.

"Puro kusang loob yun. Lahat 'yun kusang loob. Nag-takbuhan lang 'yun (They willingly went there. Their act was voluntary. They rushed there to support him)," Panelo told Palace reporters.

"Suporta iyan eh. Kung free ako, pumunta rin ako (That was meant to express their support. I would have gone there, had I had a free time)," he added.