DAVAO CITY (February 19) — “Nanawagan ako: huwag niyo nang ilagay ang mga campaign tarps ko o kahit anong campaign material ko sa mga opisina ng gobyerno o kahit saang ipinagbabawal na lugar. Pakitanggal na ang mga ‘yan. Sumunod tayo sa batas at unahin natin ang pagtulong sa nangangailangan.”
This was the statement given by former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, an appeal to his supporters to follow COMELEC regulations and laws regarding the proper posting of campaign paraphernalia.
On Monday afternoon, the former SAP visited Parañaque to lead in the dismantling of several tarps that have been placed in the vicinity of the city hall. Go was joined by Mayor Edwin Olivares, Vice Mayor Rico Golez, Cong. Gus Tambunting and city government employees.
“Freedom of expression po yan kung gusto nila magpakita ng suporta at ihayag ang pagtitiwala nila sa atin. Kaya lang po, para maiwasan ang batikos, pumunta po ako dito para maiparating na rin sa supporters sa iba’t ibang lugar na tanggalin na nila ito. I am begging you, ako na nakikiusap, sumunod po tayo sa batas,” he reiterated.
Local officials led by Mayor Olivarez explained that these tarps were produced and placed by his camp and other local supporters a month ago when Bong Go was invited to join the flag raising ceremony of the city government.
“Kami po at mga supporters ninyo ang naglagay nito para maipakita na handa kaming sumuporta… at kusang loob na rin po namin tatanggalin para ilagay nalang sa sarili naming mga bahay,” said Mayor Olivarez.
Other local officials also joined Bong Go in removing the tarps placed along the city hall compound. Cong. Tambunting and VM Golez also took down tarpaulins and committed to just place them in their private properties.
Bong Go reiterated to his supporters once more to back his senatorial campaign the right way by not recklessly posting wherever they please.
“Parang awa niyo na: sundin natin ang batas at ang mga patakaran ng COMELEC. Huwag niyo nang ilagay kung saan-saan lang ang mga posters at tarps ko. Kung gusto niyo talagang suportahan ang aking kandidatura, gawin ninyo ito nang naaayon sa batas,” Go stated.
Bong Go also reminded his supporters that another way of showing support for his candidacy is by donating to causes near and dear to his heart such as victims of fires.
“Isa pang paraan ng pagsuporta sa aking kandidatura ay sa pagtulong at pagdonate ng plywood o pagkain sa mga kapatid nating nasunugan. Tulad ngayon, may pupuntahan akong mga nasunugan sa Maynila,” said Go, who also appealed to his supporters to donate building materials and food to fire survivors and victims of calamities.
“Okay lang sa akin kung di ako gawan ng tarps pero sana ibili niyo na lang ng plywood para sa mga biktima ng sunog. Prayoridad ko talaga ang tumulong at magserbisyo kaya paalala ulit sa mga iligal na nagkakabit ng posters: itulong niyo na lang ‘yan sa nangangailangan,” Go added.
After dismantling illegally posted campaign materials in the vicinity of the city hall, Bong Go greeted some pedestrians on his way out and pointed at a stoplight saying, “baka pati iyan patanggal rin ng mga kritiko sa akin, dahil green means GO!”
Go jokingly said that Filipinos do not need to be reminded of him through campaign materials since almost every corner of the road has a stoplight that lights green when signaling “Go” to motorists.
Go took time to thank his supporters for their initiatives and recognized that these are their ways of showing their appreciation to what the Duterte administration has done to instill real and positive change in the country.
“Dahil sa kanilang paniniwala na tama at maganda ang pamamalakad ng gobyernong ito, kusa nilang sinisikap suportahan ang Pangulo at ang mga sinusuportahan ng Pangulo para ipagpatuloy ang tunay na pagbabago na nangyayari ngayon,” Go said in previous interviews.
Bong Go affirmed that, despite criticisms during the campaign and the uncertainty of what the future holds for him, he can be counted on to work harder to prove his worth as a public servant and his capacity to serve the Filipino people.
“Basta kahit saan ako dalhin ng tadhana, kami ni Pangulong Duterte, wala kaming ibang hangarin kung hindi ang makatulong at magserbisyo sa kapwa naming Pilipino. Lahat naman po ito ay para sa bayan at sa pagpapatuloy ng tunay na pagbabagong nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte.”-PR
