Amid speculations on Sara's 2022 bid Bong Go hopeful of his VP candidacy

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - "I am hoping for the best."

This was the statement of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go amid speculations that Sara Duterte’s withdrawal from Davao City mayoral race could affect his vice presidential bid.

Go said that he does not want to speculate on plans of the Duterte family following the recent move of Sara and brother Baste who replaced his sister for the mayoral race.

“Ayoko munang magspeculate ‘no kung ano ‘yung plano ng pamilya at ako naman po ay may partido kasama si Pangulong Duterte, desisyon niya po ito, at desisyon ng partido na tumakbo po ako na bise presidente,” said Go in an ambush interview after delivering aid to struggling residents of Antipolo City recently.

Whatever the decision of the Duterte family and his party PDP-Laban is, Go said that he is the least of Duterte's concerns.

He also advised the public to sit tight and see what might happen in the next days.

“Unang-una, mahal na mahal ko po si Pangulong Duterte, may utang na loob po ako sa kanya, at mabigat po sa amin mga Bisaya 'yung utang na loob, diyan ko po natutunan sa kanya 'yan, at ayaw ko po siyang bigyan ng sakit ng dibdib dahil lang sa pulitika,” said Go.

Whatever happens next, Go said his goal of serving his fellow Filipino will not change whatever his capacity in public office may be.

Meanwhile, Go explained why he grew emotional after Antipolo Mayor Andrea Ynares' and former Governor Casi m i r o Yn ar es' speeches in which they said Go is qualified for the vice presidency.

“Alam nyo, naging emotional po ako dahil nakikita, kanina nakita ko ‘yung mga tao naghahawak ng placard, na na-appreciate nila. Sabi ko hindi nyo naman po kami kailangang pasalamatan dahil trabaho naman po namin ‘yan,” said Go.

Go said that he would not speculate if Sara Duterte's decision to drop her reelection candidacy for Davao City mayor will affect his own vice presidential bi d.

He however empathized with supporters who have committed their time and effort to prepare for the campaign.

“Naging emosyonal po ako doon na kung sakaling may changes po, kung saka-sakali may mga movements because of this substitution issue, kung mayroon mang pagbabago, nalulungkot lang po ako, lalung-lalo na po para sa mga supporters natin na nagpagod na po na walang kapagurang sumusuporta, naniniwala, umiikot sa buong Pilipinas para hikayatan at ipaalam sa taumbayan ang kandidatura ko, nalulungkot po ako para sa kanila sa mga naniniwala sa akin,” he sai d.

He reiterated that he remains hopeful for the best that may happen in the coming days.

“Ibig sabihin sana po'y sabi ko nga sana walang masagasaan at sana po'y hindi rin po ako masagasaan. Kung sakasakali man pong masagasaan ako, ayaw ko po na magiging sakit ng dibdib ng taong mahal ko si Pangulong Duterte,” said Go.

“I'm the least of their problems. Dahil mahal ko po si Pangulong Duterte. So sabi ko antayin nalang po natin hanggang November 15, kung may pagbabago. Dalawa lang naman po 'yan (nakapag-file) na po ako as (candidate for) Vice President for the last 39 days. Saan pa ba ako pupunta if ever, kung sakaling may pagbabago? Dalawang position lang po 'yun.

“Antayin na lang po natin kung ano ang magiging desisyon ni Pangulong Duterte at desisyon po ng partido, salamat po,” he said.

Still PDP-Laban's bet Meanwhile, Go recently stressed that he remains the vice presidential candidate of PDP-Laban party.

During a recent speech, Go dismissed rumors that he is not real candidate for the nation's second top post of President Rodrigo Duterte's political party.

"Ayaw ninyong maniwala na kandidato ako as vice president. May partido po ako, kami ang dominant party. Bakit ayaw ninyo maniwala? Sige, kung ayaw ninyo maniwala, hintayin niyo nalang po sa Novemver 15," he said.

November 15 is the deadline for olitical aspirants hoping to substitute for candidates who withdraw from their party or coalition.

It is rumored that Duterte's daughter Sara withdrawal from Davao City mayoral race might affect Go's vice presidential bid.

Go acknowledged that changes might be possible, especially that it will be a party decision, but reiterated that he is a real candidate for more than 39 days now.

"Kung ako ang tatanungin, 100 percent na ako na tatakbo na vice president. Pero hindi naman natin kontrolado iyong mga gustong tumakbo lalo na at pinapayagan namang ng law ang substitution. Pero ako, seryoso ako at halal ako bilang senador ng 20-million Filipino at hindi po laro sa akin ang pulitika," he said.

Despite the said rumors, Go said he remains focused on his priority of serving Filipino people even without public office.

"Itong pagpunta ko sa mga nasunugan, dati ko na itong ginagawa, hindi pa ako senador. Umiikot talaha ako sa mga nasunugan, sa mga Malasakit Centers. At ayaw ko naman haluan ng pulitika dahil hindi pa naman campaign period ngayon," he said.

Go, likewise, expressed gratitude to his supporters who continue to volunteer to join his advocacy of serving Filipino people.

"Itong mga supporters ko, talagang nag-eeffort na, nagdidikit ng tarpaulins kahit hindi ko inutos. May mga nagcaravan all over the country, kaya maramin maraming salamat po," he said.

GO