Bong Go on Duterte’s full support for Senate run: ‘Naiyak po ako’

Naiyak po ako.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go issued this remark Wednesday when he heard that President Rodrigo Duterte will support him 'to the hilt' in case he seeks a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections.

"Hindi naman po ako politiko ... at kung sakali po ay unang beses ko po itong sasabak. Pero ang puwede ko lang pong ipagmalaki ay ang 20 taon kong karanasan sa pagserbisyo sa aking kapwa at panunungkulan sa ating pangulo, si Mayor Rodrigo Duterte," Go told his supporters via phone patch. 

When he heard that Duterte will support him to the hilt in case he pursues an elective post, Go said: "Naiyak po ako."

Ready, Set, Go Movement

Go's remarks came as Communications Secretary Andanar and other Cabinet officials — Alan Peter Cayetano (Foreign Affairs), Silvestre Bello III (Labor) and Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (National Security Adviser) — joined other supporters of Go in the launching of the Ready, Set, Go Movement in Manila.

The movement aims to convince Go to run for senator in the 2019 polls. The event was attended by other government officials and showbiz personalities.

Go was not present in the event.

But Go joked that his official title — SAP — could also mean Senator of the Philippines, Senator and Assistant to the President or in case he fails his Senate bid, Super Assistant to the People.

In a statement, Go said he cannot ignore the support of the President and his supporters, but insisted that it was too early to talk about politics.

"All these started as a joke, but with the overwhelming support and encouragement of no less than Mayor Rody and his supporters, I cannot just set this aside," he said.

??"For the Mayor to say that he will support me to the hilt if I decide to run is more than I could ask for. For him to say that he also wants me to seek a higher post, to prove something to myself and that I could also grow, only shows how unselfish Mayor Rody is. I am deeply humbled by his inspiring words," he said.

Go also renewed his vow to serve Duterte until death.

"But like I said, it is still too early to talk about politics. Trabaho po muna ako para sa pangulo at para sa bayan. At tulad po ng sinabi ko sa Senado, at maging sa umpisa pa man, magsisilbi po ako kay Mayor Rody hanggang kamatayan," he said.

Several Cabinet members on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, join calls for Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go to run for the Senate in the 2019 elections. The gathering, which was held in Intramuros, Manila, was filled with friends, showbiz personalities and colleagues of Go from the Palace and other places. Tina Panganiban-Perez

Earlier, Andanar disclosed that during a meeting with a select group of columnists, Duterte vouched his full support for Go in case the Chief Executive's top aide decides to run for senator in next year's polls.

"I will support Bong Go to the hilt," Andanar quoted Duterte as telling the columnists on Tuesday night.

Andanar said Duterte will also support two other Cabinet members —  presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino — should they run for the Senate. — with Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News