Supporters of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go organized a nationwide caravan starting on November 6 to show their support for his candidacy for vice presidency in the upcoming 2022 elections.
On Saturday morning, hundreds of supporters participated in separate caravans through various areas such as Biliran, Bohol, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camiguin, Capiz, Davao de Oro, Eastern Samar, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Pangasinan, Quirino, Rizal, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Southern Samar, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur as well as the cities of Dumaguete, Iloilo, Mandaluyong, Marawi, Iligan, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon, San Juan, Tacloban and Valenzuela, among others.
In Negros Occidental, the provincial-chapter of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan organized a procession of more than 500 vehicles which went around Victorias City and Bacolod City — carrying supporters from such towns and cities as Enrique B. Magalona, Murcia, Silay and Talisay — before converging at the Panaad Stadium in the capital.
Minority Floor Leader and Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Joseph Paduano, a native of E.B. Magalona, described the caravan as part of a nationwide effort to mobilize support across the country in aid of Go’s vice presidential bid.
“This is only for VP … Kay damo bulig sa Negros and Bacolod. Ang iban nga binuligan ya pila na ka election, wala man binuligan sa Bacolod and Negros,” said Paduano.
(Trans: “He has given plenty of help to Negros and Bacolod. Others who we helped through several elections have never really helped Bacolod and Negros.”)
Meanwhile, the Go Bong Go Coalition was also launched in Caloocan City in an activity attended by hundreds of supporters on the same day. The Let’s Go VP GO Coalition, which is composed of more than 50 parallel groups similarly conducted a gathering in Subic, Zambales last October 31 to show their support for Go.
In a video message, Go thanked his supporters for their efforts, saying: “Salamat sa inyong lahat. Damang dama ko ang inyong pagtitiwala at pagmamahal sa akin at kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte… asahan niyo po na kung ako po ay papalarin, bilang bise presidente, ako po ay magtatrabaho at magseserbisyo para sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino. Tuloy ang malasakit. Tuloy ang serbisyo. Tuloy ang pagbabago.”
After filing his Certificate of Candidacy last October 2, the Senator reaffirmed his commitment to President Rodrigo Duterte’s crusade against illegal drugs, crime and corruption. He pledged to push for the continuation of programs and projects that will bring about a more convenient, comfortable and prosperous life for all Filipinos, such as the ‘Build, Build, Build’ and Malasakit Centers programs.
Go especially vowed to see to the completion of the administration’s flagship infrastructure projects that will improve mobility for millions and foster growth in regions that have lost jobs and businesses due to the ongoing crisis.
In the 2019 midterm elections, Go received the third highest number of votes in the senatorial race at 20.6 million.
He now consistently leads some of the recent vice presidential polls, topping the Publicus Asia’s Pahayag-Quarter 3 survey at 23.6%. It also showed that Go currently enjoys the highest trust score among incumbent senators.
In addition to this, the lawmaker also led several online polls including the Manila Bulletin’s vice presidential poll which ran on several online platforms from October 29 to October 31.
Despite the support given for his candidacy, Go stressed that he will remain focused on his duties as senator and in helping the country overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, “Unahin muna natin ngayon malampasan itong pandemya dahil 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. Magmalasakit at magbayanihan po tayo para masigurong walang maiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon bilang isang mas matatag na bansa,” he added.
