Senator Christopher “Bong” Go topped Manila Bulletin’s vice presidential poll which ran on Facebook from October 29 to October 31. The survey, according to Manila Bulletin, aims to “get the pulse of the nation at a particular moment in time” on which candidate their readers will vote for as vice president if the elections were held on those days.
As of October 31, 9:12pm, Go led the poll with more than 87,800 votes; fellow senator Francis Pangilinan came in second with 27,400 votes while DR. Willie Ong placed third with 19,200 votes.
The survey will not be taken down but will be archived and utilized to track the shifting attitudes of its readers and the Filipino people until the elections on May 10, 2022, according to the Manila Bulletin. Netizens have continued showing their support for Go with over 90,000 reactions in his favor as of November 1.
Previously, Go was also the chosen vice presidential candidate of 23.6 percent of respondents in Publicus Asia’s Pahayag-Quarter 3 survey, which was conducted from October 11 to 18. Dr. Ong came in second with 19 percent, Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III came in third with 17.3 percent, and Pangilinan followed with 12.3 percent.
Earlier, Go expressed his gratitude to his fellow Filipinos who continue to trust and support him and the Duterte Administration.
“Maraming salamat sa mga kababayan nating nagtitiwala sa aking kakayahan at intensyon na mag-serbisyo ng tapat at lubos. Kayo ang nagsisilbing inspirasyon at lakas namin upang ipagpatuloy at paigtingin pa lalo ang serbisyo namin para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go previously.
“Kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Sa mga kasamahan ko, sana gamitin natin itong inspirasyon upang mas lalong pagbutihin ang ating serbisyo sa taumbayan bilang pagkilala sa tiwala na ibinibigay nila sa atin,” he also said.
According to the same Publicus Asia survey, Go has the highest trust score among senators, retaining the top spot consistent with the earlier results in Quarter 2 conducted last July of this year.
Go explained that despite his vice presidential bid, he remains focused on his duties as a senator and public servant, especially in assisting the government and the general public in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Magkaisa po tayo para mas mabilis na malampasan ang pandemyang ito bilang isang mas matatag na bansa. Bayanihan at bakuna muna bago ang pulitika,” Go said earlier.
“Sabi ko nga, mamaya na muna ‘yung pulitika. Unahin po natin ‘yung pagseserbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan,” said Go.
VPGO Coalition launched by grassroots leaders to support Bong Go’s VP bid
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his appreciation towards his supporters as he reaffirmed his commitment to continue advocating for the welfare and best interests of the Filipinos should he be elected as the next vice president.
On Sunday, October 31, the Let’s Go VP GO Coalition organized a launching event at Subic Bay Travelers Hotel, gathering more than 50 parallel groups to express their full support for Go’s vice presidential bid in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
In his speech delivered virtually, Go mentioned that he plans to continue the positive changes and pursue further the gains made by the Duterte Administration. He emphasized the need to sustain President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision in the years ahead, particularly its focus on peace and order, infrastructure, education, access to quality health care, and other social services.
“I accepted the challenge, sabi ko hindi ko sasayangin ito. Sabi ng ating Pangulo, ‘ipagpatuloy mo lamang, Bong, ang mga nagawa ko para sa ating mga kababayan. Dagdagan mo pa, dagdagan mo pa ang magagandang programa,” said Go.
“Ang natutunan ko po kay Pangulong Duterte at hindi ko kailanman makakalimutan ay ‘yung mahalin mo ang iyong kapwa Pilipino. Hinding hindi ka magkakamali. ‘Yun po ang ginagawa ko. Ipagpapatuloy ko po ‘yung mga magagandang programa ng ating mahal na Pangulo,” he added.
“Hindi po ito magiging madali para sa akin. Kaya kailangan ko po ang inyong tulong, 100 percent na po akong desidido na tumakbo sa pagiging Vice President. Magta-trabaho po ako. God-willing, I will be a working Vice President. Walang oras o minuto na masasayang,” he continued.
Furthermore, if elected vice president, Go said that he will work to help restore normalcy amid the pandemic and help in alleviating poverty in the country. He also mentioned that he will continue to listen to the concerns of the most vulnerable sectors and provide solutions to their daily struggles.
“Ang isa po sa mga ipinamana sa atin ni Tatay Digong na hinding hindi kayang tumbasan ng anumang halaga ay ‘yung tunay na pagmamahal sa bayan,” Go said.
“Importante po sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte trabaho ng bawat Pilipino at mayroon pong makain sa kanilang hapagkainan, mayroon silang maidala sa kanilang pamilya,” Go emphasized.
Go also reaffirmed his solidarity with Muslim Filipinos in his speech, emphasizing the importance of following through on Duterte’s promise of long-term peace in Mindanao. He also urged the next administration to pursue Duterte’s agenda for Mindanao’s peace and development.
“Alam n’yo kung gaano namin kamahal ni Pangulong Duterte ‘yung mga kababayan nating Muslim. Noon pa man, no’ng mayor pa siya ng Davao hanggang ngayon, kung ano po ang pagtrato namin sa inyo ay pantay-pantay,” expressed Go.
“Kahit na dito sa Davao ay mayroon pong anti-discrimination law dahil ayaw naming nagkakaroon po ng diskriminasyon dahil para sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ay ang mga kapatid nating Muslim, tayo po ay Pilipino,” he added.
Despite the support given for his candidacy, Go stressed that he will remain focused on his duty as senator and in helping the country overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, “Unahin muna natin ngayon malampasan itong pandemic. Ibig kong sabihin, kung hindi natin malalampasan ito, baka wala na tayong pulitika na pag-uusapan.”
“Unahin muna natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Mag-ingat tayong lahat dahil delikado habang nandito pa si COVID-19,” he added.
The gathering was attended by almost 100 grassroots leaders including national and local officials who have likewise expressed their commitment in continuing the work started by President Duterte in the years to come. More than 300 leaders also attended online. More gatherings of grassroots leaders will be launched by the organizers in the coming weeks.
