Go: Let Duterte pick successor

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Friday appealed to his supporters to let President Rodrigo Duterte decide who to endorse as presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.

Go made the appeal as he reiterated that his decision to withdraw from the presidential race was in the best interest of Duterte and his family.

“Nagkausap po kami ni Pangulong Duterte at siya mismo ay nirerespeto ang aking desisyon dahil nauunawaan niya ang hirap, lalo pa at pamilya na ang pinaguusapan dito (President Duterte and I already talked, and he said he respects my decision because he understands it, especially if it involves family),” Go said in a statement.

“Tulungan na lang natin siyang makahanap ng susuportahang kandidato upang masigurong maipagpapatuloy ang mga magagandang pagbabagong nasimulan niya (So, let’s help the President to find his preferred candidate to ensure that he or she can continue the positive change we have started),” Go continued.

Go, Duterte’s long-time aide, said he will continue to serve the people in his capacity as senator.

“Kasalukuyang nasa Mindanao ako, naghahatid ng tulong sa mga kababayan natin. Kahit na umatras na ako sa halalang ito sa 2022, patuloy ang aking pagseserbisyo sa kapwa kong Pilipino lalo na sa pinakamahihirap (I am currently in Mindanao, sending aid to our fellow countrymen there. Even though I quit from the 2022 elections, I will continue to serve the Filipino especially the poor),” he said.

Go filed his candidacy for president as the standard-bearer of the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) after Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa withdrew as the presidential bet of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, the ruling party.

Go sought to run for president under PDDS after the President’s daughter, Sara DuterteCarpio, filed her certificate of candidacy for vice president under Lakas-CMD.

While he has announced his withdrawal, Go has yet to appear before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to formalize it.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez has said a personal appearance is needed to withdraw the certificate of candidacy.