An exclusive with Sen. Christopher ‘Bong’ Go

It was indeed a pleasure to have had the chance to get insights from a Senator who has done more than expected as a legislator in his first term in office. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, for those who may have never noticed (although this is almost quite impossible), is the man we silently see consistently at the side of a President whose unprecedented leadership has changed the lives of millions of Filipinos with a satisfaction rating that never ceases to dim despite the challenges our nation faces today together with the rest of the world.

Since I had this opportunity, I figured it was best for me to ask about the four most important questions that are to me what matters, as well as hold close to my heart together with many others who have in turn asked me about them.

I began my interview on what we all know as the DUTERTE LEGACY. The kind Senator tells us that, after  taking his oath of office, and even before the 18th Congress held its inaugural session, he filed countless bills supporting the legislative agenda of the Duterte administration. Strengthening the collective fight against the menace of illegal drugs and criminality, Sen. Bong Go filed bills which sought to reimpose the death penalty on certain heinous crimes involving illegal drugs, to establish a drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation center in every province in the country, and to provide free legal service to personnel of the AFP and PNP who were facing charges for acts while in the performance of their duty.

Late last year, Sen. Go filed an amendment to the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law by disqualifying heinous crime convicts from availing of the benefits of the GCTA.

I fully believe alongside many others that the thrust of this administration is to bring down basic services to every Juan and Juana. As a legislator, Senator Go continues to support the programs and services of the government, particularly during annual budget deliberations. His support for the existing Build, Build, Build program as a means to further improve transportation and communication in the country, and if I may personally add the same for education, is the Senator’s shared endeavor in providing a more comfortable life for every Filipino.

This then led me to my next question on the Balik Probinsya program which in truth, many of my listeners on radio have not only contemplated about but also actually pursued a life back in their hometowns even in the midst of a pandemic. The Balik Probinsya Program seeks both to decongest Metro Manila and to accelerate economic development in the countryside. The program is voluntary, and encourages people to relocate to the provinces and start anew full of hope especially after the trials brought about by COVID-19. Hence, and as the Senator says, it is important therefore to provide incentives for them so that they will not only be encouraged but more so, empowered. This program as the Senator explained, includes better living conditions, a healthier environment, more job and livelihood opportunities and quality and accessible government services. (To be continued)