Cebuano execs want Go to run for senator

CEBU, Philippines — At least eight Cebuano lawmakers and several mayors joined the nationwide clamor for special assistant to the president Christopher “Bong” Go to run for senator in the 2019 elections.

The local officials converged yesterday for the official launching of the movement called “Cebu is Go.” The movement was organized by Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Mike Dino.

Among the lawmakers supporting the movement are Reps. Samsam Gullas (first district), Wilfredo Caminero (second district), Gwendolyn Garcia (third district), Ramon Red Durano IV (fifth district), Benhur Salimbangon (fourth district), Jonas Cortes (sixth district), Peter John Calderon (seventh district), and Aileen Radaza (Lapu-Lapu lone district).

 Also supporting the call are Mandaue Mayor Luigi Quisumbing, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and the majority of the City Council. Urban poor groups called Cebu’s Aspiring Sectors were also seen during the launching.

“Cebu is Go! is just a movement steered by various organizations in the Visayas for Go to consider running for a seat in the Senate come 2019 midterm election,” Dino said.

Dino said the support of eight lawmakers from Cebu and majority of the mayors in widespread call for Go to join the senatorial race next year is a message that we need more young blood in the Senate.

 “We have received calls from mayors, congressmen, businessmen, artists, barangay leaders and even the urban poor, that they want to join in today’s launching of the movement,” Dino said, adding that the convenor of yesterday’s event was the Bisaya Napud Movement he founded before the 2016 election.

The special assistant to the president is adamant to join the senatorial derby as he does not want to leave President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

“But while BG has said he is not running, Cebu is pushing for him to run so that PRRD will have a loyal and strong ally in the Senate,” Dino said.

“We have been successful in putting a Bisaya in Malacañang and he is well-loved by the people. Now we need a true-blue Bisaya in the Senate,” he added.

Garcia also believes that Go is a very viable candidate.

"He is a viable senatorial candidate. Dili siya ambisyoso ug daku sad ang pagsalig ni Presidente Duterte niya," Garcia said.

Even Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will support  the movement. The mayor said they are friends with Go even before Duterte became president.

“Because he (Go) is from Mindanao and he can help the president, president from Mindanao. This is their chance, why not? I have no problem with that,” the mayor said.

He promised that Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan will be endorsing Go, among other senatorial candidates. —FPL (FREEMAN)