Bong Go formalizes withdrawal of presidential bid in Eleksyon 2022

Senator Bong Go on Tuesday has formalized the withdrawal of his presidential bid in the 2022 elections.

"Meron po akong isang salita [I always keep my promise]," Go told reporters during his visit to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila.

A tweet by Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez shows Go being attended to by a Comelec employee. The caption reads, "Withdrawn."

Go, a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, announced his intention to drop his presidential bid on November 30, citing his family, who he said is not in favor of him running for president, as reason.

He also said he does not want to put President Duterte in a difficult situation.

Go filed his certificate of candidacy for president on November 13 under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) via substitution.

Following this development, Go's other political party, the PDP-Laban wing led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, said the party will back the presidential aspirant who is supportive of President Duterte's governance.

"PDP-Laban we will endorse whoever will align with the  policies of the Duterte administration and will continue the agenda of change that remain popular because these are being felt by the masses such as tough [stance] against drugs, criminality, corruption, and terrorism, as well as efficient implementation of socio-economic and infrastructure programs to guarantee recovery from the pandemic," Melvin Matibag, secretary general of PDP-Laban, said in a statement.  —KBK, GMA News