Go denies substitution speculations

Sen. Bong Go is committed to becoming a “working vice president” if he gets elected, making it clear that he is not running for the post only to be substituted by another candidate.

“I accepted the challenge to run as VP candidate of the PDP (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan). I am determined and will continue my run for VP,” Go said, shunning speculations he could be just a placeholder-candidate of his party.

He gave the statement in an interview during the launch of the country’s 143rd Malasakit Center at the Doña Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental last Tuesday.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set Nov. 15 as the deadline for any substitution of candidates among the registered political parties.

“I can’t speak for the other candidates. I can’t say what the party’s decision will be,” Go said. “As far as I am concerned, in my position, I am determined (to seek the vice presidency).”

He said the PDP-Laban’s decision to field him as its candidate for vice president has been clear since President Duterte’s decision not seek the position.

The President’s plan to retire from politics after his term as president also helped Go commit to running for vice president in order to continue the legacy of Duterte’s leadership.

“What’s important to me is to continue the programs started by Duterte and add more programs that would help the economy recover from the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on all of us,” Go said.

Meantime, he said he remains focused on his duties as a senator and public servant.

“I don’t want to talk about politics first so I always say, vaccinate first before politics because we may not have any more political talk if we do not overcome this crisis. Lives are at stake here,” he said.

Go insisted that he does not consider himself a politician, but a public servant that ordinary Filipinos can rely on.?“I don’t want to compare myself to other candidates. We have different offers to the country, about what we can do,” he said, adding that if he gets elected, one thing he surely is not is a “spare tire,” but a “working vice president.” – Paolo Romero