Bong Go: No government funds used in meet-and-greet with OFWs

SEOUL – Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) here that no government funds were used in his meeting them whenever he accompanies President Duterte on his travels abroad. 

“This meet-and-greet I have with OFWs here as well as in other countries have been organized by my friends in South Korea. I have to attend these events so they would know the President more and the different programs of the government,” Go told hundreds of OFWs at the Hyewadong restaurant here last Sunday.

Go also explained that whenever he attends meet-and-greet sessions with OFWs abroad, he would make it a point to ask for their support for programs of the Duterte administration.

He said there is nothing political about his meet-and-greet session with the OFWs as he has not decided to run in the 2019 midterm polls.

Go is among the Cabinet members accompanying Duterte on his three-day official visit to South Korea.

He also told OFWs that the Office of the President is open to every Filipino who needs help.

He said as special assistant to the President, it is his duty to extend assistance to Filipinos.

Carolina Ruiz, president of the Filipino community in Incheon, said members support Duterte and Go, noting that they are “very happy” with the Chief  Executive’s performance. 

“It is so heartwarming that more and more groups, especially supporters of the President from other parts of the world are inviting me to also meet and visit them in their place,” Go  said.

He said that OFW groups from as far as Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and other places are the ones who want to personally see him and interact with him.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said around 68,000 Filipinos are currently residing in South Korea, comprising workers who entered the country under the employment permit system, students, professionals, missionaries and spouses of Korean nationals.