Bong Go with Duterte at Asean summit as ‘private adviser’

Incoming Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go (right of center) is serving as “private adviser” to President Rodrigo Duterete at the 34th Asean Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo from the Facebook account of Christopher Go)

MANILA, Philippines — Incoming Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go on Sunday said he went to Bangkok, Thailand, with President Rodrigo Duterte to serve as his “private adviser” during the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.

Apart from Go, several other government officials are part of the President’s group.

READ: Duterte off to Bangkok for Asean leaders’ meet

“I am in Bangkok in my own personal capacity as private adviser to the President,” Go said in a text message to reporters.

“Hindi ako nakakapasok sa lahat ng engagements tulad sa plenary at sa retreat,” he added. “Mayroong mga functions na selected officials lang ang pwede makasama sa Pangulo. I join events where it is appropriate in order to support and assist the President.”

[I’m not allowed to enter all the engagements, like the plenary and the retreat. There are functions where only selected officials are allowed to be with the President. I join events where it is appropriate in order to support and assist the President.]

Before being elected as senator in the recent national elections, Go served as Duterte’s aide for 21 years.

‘I will serve the President forever’

Asked if he would still be able to join the President once he starts working in the Senate, Go said: “Once I officially assume office as senator, I will not be able to be with him all the time but I will still assist him if my services are needed in certain occasions and as long as it is in the best interest of the country.”

“Tulad ng sabi ko noon, habang buhay ko pagsisilbihan si Pangulong Duterte as his long-time trusted aide. Mayroong mga bagay na hindi basta-basta maipapasa sa ibang tao. At ito ay mga responsibilidad na natutunan ko na the past 21 years na naglingkod ako sa kanya at sa taong bayan,” he added.

[As I said before, I will serve President Duterte forever as his trusted aide. There are things that can’t just be passed on to other people. And these are responsibilities that I learned in the past 21 years serving him and the people.]

Go added that he would not allow his support towards the President to perform his duties as one of the senators of the country.

“Sisiguraduhin ko rin na kahit nandito ako para suportahan siya, hindi ito magiging conflict sa aking responsibilidad bilang isang halal na senador,” he said.

[I will make sure that, even if I will continue to support him, it will not conflict with my responsibilities as an elected senator.]

“I will balance my willingness to support the President in my own capacity and my mandate as an elected Senator of the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.

Go placed third in the senatorial elections with 20,657,702 votes. He was behind reelectionist Senators Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe.

READ: 5 reelectionists, 4 new faces, 3 returning proclaimed senators

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)