President Duterte’s Three Musketeers: Bong, Bato, and Tol

In the upcoming senatorial elections, many are claiming to be the president's men. President Duterte, being the consummate politician, has raised the hands of too many hopefuls. But we know who really are in his heart, his Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, namely; Bong Go, Bato de la Rosa, and Tol Tolentino.

And the most beloved of them all, is Go. Even Jesus had favorites, his inner circle; Peter, James, and John the most beloved. Go, Bato, and Tol will push for the president's agenda for the rest of his term. If they win, they shall remain the Senate after he leaves Malacañan. They will defend him tooth and nail against accusations that are expected by all ex-presidents.

The administration party or the coalition that supports the Duterte administration has reportedly endorsed no less than 14 candidates for senator. That is the political coalition. It is composed of too many political parties like the PDP-Laban of the Pimentels (Nene and Koko), the NP of the Villars (with the Marcoses and Cayetanos), the NPC (where Senate President Tito Sen Sotto belongs), the Lakas-NUCD of GMA (or whatever remains of it) and the PMP (of Erap, the Estradas, and Ejercitos).

Too many elements of the unwieldy rainbow coalition resulting to chaotic intramurals in the local struggles. Politics in the Philippines is addition, even if the sum total exceeds the allowable maximum, addition never ends.

But over and above the ruckus of partisan infighting, Duterte anointed only three. He wants Go to be in the Senate for a strategic purpose. Go is the only person who will obey his orders without question. His loyalty has been tried and tested for over 20 years.

De la Rosa is needed to push for legislation continuing the war against drugs and corruption. These are the legacies of Duterte to future generations. Tolentino is the lawyer who shall support Go and de la Rosa in their legislative agenda.

After Duterte's term, we never know what the next administration's color will be; yellow, red, or blue. That means that the enemies of Duterte may raise all kinds of issues to cast aspersions against his name, his administration, and his decisions just for vengeance or for real.

Whatever the reason, Go should be there to speak “ex-cathedra” for Duterte. He is the only guy who knows the real score. Nobody else in the current administration has that level of trust. Not even Sal Panelo, Medialdea, or Press Secretary Andanar. Go's candidacy for senator is more of a Duterte order and less of an ambition. This man has no other ambition but to serve Duterte.

Go represents the heart of Duterte. Only he knows what Duterte feels. Tolentino is the legal mind of Duterte. He will muster the defenses against those who seek to destroy Duterte legally. Bato is the muscle of Duterte, his arm and fist. Those who want to harm Duterte, they better think a hundred times. They have to contend with The Rock.