The Honorable
Bong Go
Go, c. 2022
Senator of the Philippines
Assumed office
June 30, 2019
Senate positions
Chair of the Senate Health and Demography Committee
Assumed office
July 22, 2019
Preceded byJV Ejercito
Chair of the Senate Sports Committee
Assumed office
July 22, 2019
Preceded byPanfilo Lacson
Special Assistant to the President
In office
June 30, 2016 – October 15, 2018
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJesus Melchor Quitain
Head of the Presidential Management Staff
In office
June 30, 2016 – October 15, 2018
Preceded byJulia Abad
Succeeded byJesus Melchor Quintain
Personal details
Born
Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go

(1974-06-14) June 14, 1974
Davao City, Philippines
Political partyPDP–Laban
Other political
affiliations		Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (2021)
Alma materDe La Salle University
Ateneo de Davao University (BS)
Signature
Basketball career
Personal information
Listed height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
PositionGuard
Number18
Career history
2018–2019Muntinlupa Cagers

Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Tesoro Go (Tagalog: [bɔŋ ˈɡɔ]; born June 14, 1974) is a Filipino politician serving as a senator since 2019. He previously served in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte as Special Assistant to the President and Head of the Presidential Management Staff from June 2016 to October 2018.[1][2] Go has served as the personal aide and special assistant to Duterte since 1998, back when the latter was still mayor of Davao City.[3][4]

Go currently chairs the Senate committee on health and demography.[5]

Early life and education

Go was born on June 14, 1974, to a Chinese Filipino family.[6][7] He is the son of Davao-based businessman Desiderio Go[8] and Batangas-native Marichu Tesoro-Go.[9] He is a grandson of August Tesoro, who founded one of the largest printing companies in Davao City.[10]

Go attended La Salle Green Hills during his high school years. He initially took up a management degree in De La Salle University but transferred to and eventually graduated from Ateneo de Davao University with a bachelor's degree in marketing.[11][12]

Career

Duterte's aide (1998–present)

Senator Go (right) with President Rodrigo Duterte (center) and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as they prepare for the Ceremonies of the Accession to the Throne of Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo on October 22, 2019

Since 1998, Go has served as executive assistant and personal aide for then-Mayor of Davao City Rodrigo Duterte. Being in charge of both personal and official matters, he has called himself as Duterte's all around 'utility man'.[13][14]

During the 2016 election campaign season, Go was often described as the "national photobomber" by the media, for being always in the photos at the side of Duterte in his campaign sorties.[15] He is one of the key people in Duterte's campaign for presidency. On October 15, 2015, Go filed Duterte's certificate of candidacy on Duterte's behalf at the Comelec office in Manila, for a re-election bid for the Davao City mayoralty post.[16]

Special Assistant to the President (2016–2018)

Then President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on June 2, 2016, announced the appointment of Go as the Special Assistant to the President and is tasked to provide general supervision to the Presidential Management Staff.[17]

Go in 2018

During Go's time as Special Assistant to the President, his alleged involvement in the Philippine Navy's ₱16 billion frigate deal was revealed by online news site Rappler. Pertinent documents that linked Go to the deal, detailing how he had interfered with the process, violating several procurement laws when he endorsed a supplier outside the bidding process were released to the public;[18] Go denied the allegations, declaring that he would resign if ever he was proven guilty and said that the media and his critics were endangering national security.[19] Vice Admiral Mercado of the Philippine Navy, who was allegedly sacked for questioning the frigate deal, has cleared Go of any involvement, claiming that Go had never communicated with those who were involved in the deal.[20] Duterte defended Go, saying that "he owns a yacht, therefore he doesn't need to steal in the frigate deal".[21] The Malacañang also made their stand clear that Go did not intervene.[22] A probe by the Senate regarding the deal was made, but did no further clarifications about Go's role on the deal.[23][24]

During his time as Special Assistant to the President, Go became known for selfies he posted online, saying he values these images as part of his "personal collection".[25][26]

Go (left) with President Duterte pose for a selfie with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who paid a courtesy call with the President at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay on December 20, 2018.

Senator (2019–present)

Go made a formal bid for the Senate on October 15, 2018, when he filed his certificate of candidacy accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte and other members of the president's Cabinet. Go's platform for his Senate bid included pledges to build healthcare and social service facilities called "Malasakit Centers" across the Philippines as well as the repeal of the Juvenile Justice law which sets the minimum age of criminal liability at 15 years old. Doubts about his capability to conduct a nationwide campaign was countered by President Duterte, noting that the Tesoros, Go's mother's family, own one of the largest printing firms in Mindanao.[27]

Prior to his formal filing of candidacy, Go has been the subject of allegations of premature campaigning.[28][29][30][31] In relief operations after a fire in Manila, relief goods with "Ready Set Go" branding were distributed alongside government relief goods provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Go has repeatedly denied that he was personally involved in the production or distribution of any merchandise, once citing his supporters as producing them without his consent[32] and on one occasion said that it was done under the President's directive.[33] Go also urged his supporters to stop "politicizing" their cause by using his name and likeness. Calls for tarpaulins bearing his image to be removed had made the rounds in social media.[34]

18th Congress

Go received roughly 21 million votes during the May 2019 election and was sworn into office after placing 3rd overall; he officially took his seat in the Senate beginning his term on June 30, 2019. On his first months in office, Go had filed several bills including creating a Department of Disaster Resilience,[35] the postponement of the 2020 Sangguniang Kabataan elections on the barangay level,[36] and a bill co-authored with fellow Senator Manny Pacquiao pushing a death penalty back for heinous crimes such as illegal drugs, plunder, rape, and murder.[37]

Bong Go witnesses President Rodrigo Duterte sign into law the establishment of the National Academy of Sports in June 2020.

In 2019, Go authored the Malasakit Center Act, which meant to serve as one-stop for easy access to medical and financial assistance needed to receive health care services;[38] the bill was later enacted into law by President Duterte.[39] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Go proposed the Balik Probinsya program, which meant to decongest the overcrowded Metro Manila once the coronavirus pandemic is put under control;[40] the program was institutionalized by President Duterte on May 6 via Executive Order No. 114.[41][42] As early as July 2019, Go called for proposed the creation of a separate department dedicated to overseas Filipino workers;[43] a law creating the Department of Migrant Workers was signed by President Duterte two years later.[44] Go was briefly involved in a controversy on July 17, 2020, when a college student was filed a subpoena order by the National Bureau of Investigation after Go complained of the student sharing a post on social media possibly containing fake news which were against the Senator.[45]

Go advocated for the establishment of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) and the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);[46] he supported the creation of Super Health Centers around the country to help reduce hospital occupancy rates.[47] On October 29, 2021, Go led the opening of the country's 146th Malasakit Center at the Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center in Las Piñas City—reaching a milestone for the said program being the 30th in Metro Manila and the first in the city.[48][49]

2022 elections

Go filed his certificate of candidacy on October 2

PDP-Laban initially nominated Go to be their presidential candidate, with President Duterte as their candidate for vice president on September 8, 2021.[50] However, Duterte withdrew from his vice presidential bid, and Go filed a certificate of candidacy for the position of vice president instead on October 2, 2021.[51] Fellow Senator Ronald dela Rosa then became Go's running mate after dela Rosa unexpectedly[52] filed his certificate of candidacy on October 8.[53]

Dela Rosa later withdrew his bid under the directive of PDP-Laban; Go also followed suit withdrawing his bid for the vice presidency on November 13, 2021.[54] Go then announced that he would be running for president instead, albeit under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) party rather than PDP-Laban; he substituted the candidacy of PDDS' Grepor Belgica, father of Greco Belgica.[55] Go explained that he withdrew his bid to run for vice president to avoid complicating the campaign of Sara Duterte who launched her own vice president bid under Lakas–CMD. Despite officially running for a different party, he vowed to continue to the plans of incumbent President Duterte's administration.[56]

The faction of PDP–Laban led by Alfonso Cusi allowed Go to run under a different party as a bid to avoid complication since the party was under a leadership dispute. The other faction is led by Manny Pacquiao and Koko Pimentel who disputed the legitimacy of Cusi's faction as representatives of the party. Cusi's side anticipated that there would be legal issues had Go substituted the candidacy of dela Rosa as president if the COMELEC ruled dela Rosa's candidacy as invalid. Cusi's PDP-Laban has adopted and endorsed Go as their presidential candidate for the 2022 election.[57] The Go campaign had no formal vice president candidate since President Duterte had endorsed his daughter Sara Duterte as Go's vice president.[58]

On November 30, 2021, Go announced he would be dropping out of the presidential race, saying his heart and mind contradicted his actions and cited his family's opposition to his move to run as president. He formally withdrew from the presidential race on December 14, 2021.[59][60]

19th Congress

At the start of the 19th Congress in July 2022, Go filed his priority bills seeking to create the Department of Disaster Resilience[61] and requiring the establishment of evacuation centers in all provinces, cities, and municipalities.[62] He also filed bills institutionalizing the Department of Trade and Industry's One Town, One Product (OTOP) program to improve innovation among MSMEs;[63] requiring Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers to be established nationwide; creating the Philippine National Games; providing compensation to Barangay Health Workers; and enacting a "Magna Carta for Barangays".[64]

In January 2023, Go—together with Senators Ronald dela Rosa, Mark Villar, and Francis Tolentino—filed a bill seeking to provide additional benefits to former Philippine presidents for their performance of "post-presidential duties" which include meetings with foreign and local public officials.[65]

Personal life

Beyond politics, Bong Go is also an avid basketball fan and has participated in amateur leagues and guested in prominent local basketball events in the country. He usually watches the Philippine Basketball Association and joined the three-point shooting competition of the 2018 PBA All-Star Week. Along with Senators Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva, Go was featured in a three-point shoot out exhibition during the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup which was hosted in Bocaue, Bulacan.[66]

Go also joined the roster of the Muntinlupa Cagers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. This move was objected by his critics as using the MPBL as a platform for his senatorial bid in 2019. Go defended the move saying he just wanted to promote basketball in the country and acknowledged his old age and the superior height of his opponents.[67][68] He rarely played appearing in only one season with the team, to focus on his Senate job and on assisting Duterte.[69]

References

  1. ↑ "Bong Go to head Palace management staff, Andanar to head PCOO". GMA News Online. June 2, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Duterte appoints closest aide, broadcaster to Palace posts". The Philippine Star. June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  3. ↑ "BT: Bong Go, executive assistant ni Duterte mula pa 1998 - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  5. ↑ Cepeda, Mara (May 20, 2021). "Renationalizing hospitals: Go tries but fails to end Senate debates". Rappler. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Duterte heaps praises on SAP Bong Go". Manila Standard. April 12, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Fact check: Sergio Osmeña was actually the first Chinese Filipino senator". The Philippine Star. September 26, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Top Davao gov't infra contractor owned by Bong Go kin – PCIJ". Rappler. September 10, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  9. ↑ Samonte, Mauro Gia (June 13, 2020). "The many wonders of Bong Go's welfare world". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021. What this colleague is not aware of is that Bong Go's mother, Marichu Tesoro, is a native of Batangas, which Dr. Jose P. Laurel was.
  10. ↑ Jimenez, Atty Josephus B. "The godfather's triumvirate". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  11. ↑ "A photobomber in Duterte campaign". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 8, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  12. ↑ Regalado, Edith R. "A selfie with Bong Go". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  13. ↑ "BT: Bong Go, executive assistant ni Duterte mula pa 1998 - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  14. ↑ "The President's Men and Women: Bong Go: The man behind the President". The Philippine Star. August 1, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Who's who in Duterte's inner circle". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 9, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  16. ↑ Tesiorna, Ben O. (October 15, 2015). "Rodrigo Duterte to seek re-election as Davao City mayor". CNN Philippines.
  17. ↑ Diola, Camille (June 3, 2016). "Duterte appoints closest aide, broadcaster to Palace posts". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  18. ↑ "TIMELINE | What we need to know: Bong Go and the P16-B Navy frigate deal". InterAksyon. February 19, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Bong Go: Frigate deal controversy endangering national security". CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Sacked Navy official speaks up: 'I am still hurting'". CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Duterte: Bong Go a 'yacht-owner,' need not steal in frigate deal". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  22. ↑ Placido, Dharel. "Palace: 'Very clear' Bong Go did not intervene in frigate deal". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Senate probe exposes root of frigates deal mess". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  24. ↑ "5 nagging questions after the Senate frigates probe". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  25. ↑ Nawal, Allan. "Bong Go: From national photobomber to king of selfies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Even as senator, Bong Go to still 'assist' Duterte". Rappler. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  27. ↑ Panti, Llanesca (October 15, 2018). "Bong Go files COC, seeks Senate seat in 2019 polls". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Nothing illegal with premature campaigning — Supreme Court". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Comelec warns vs 'premature campaigning'". Manila Standard. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  30. ↑ Matriano, Kate. "WATCH: Ex Battalion sings campaign jingle for Bong Go". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Do Bong Go's donations, billboards violate government ethics code?". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  32. ↑ Domingo, Katrina. "'Bong Go' phones as gov't souvenirs? Duterte aide explains". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Bong Go tarps, relief goods, cellphones: President's aide has a disclaimer". InterAksyon. July 13, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  34. ↑ Reysio-Cruz, Matthew. "Netizens want Go's posters gone". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Bong Go files bill creating Department of Disaster Resilience". Senate of the Philippines.
  36. ↑ "Marcos, Go files bills seeking postponement of 2020 barangay SK election". Manila Bulletin.
  37. ↑ Galvez, Daphne (July 2, 2019). "Go files bill restoring death penalty for heinous crimes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  38. ↑ Parrocha, Azer (December 3, 2019). "PRRD signs Malasakit Center law". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  39. ↑ Parrocha, Azer (December 3, 2019). "PRRD signs Malasakit Center law". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019.
  40. ↑ Gita-Carlos, Ruth Abbey (April 25, 2020). "Duterte backs proposed 'Balik Probinsya' program". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Executive Order No. 114, s. 2020" (PDF). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  42. ↑ Aguilar, Krissy (May 6, 2020). "Duterte institutionalizes Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  43. ↑ Merez, Arianne (July 12, 2019). "Duterte says to form department for OFWs by December". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  44. ↑ Felipe, Cecille Suerte (December 15, 2021). "Department of Migrant Workers bill passed, hailed". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Bong Go reminds public: Use your freedom of expression responsibly; emphasizes difference of being critical from deliberately spreading fake news". Philippine Information Agency. July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Bong Go proposes establishing super health centers throughout the country to improve the public's access to gov't health services". Senate of the Philippines. September 12, 2021. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  47. ↑ Casayuran, Mario (February 25, 2023). "Bong Go keeps focus on Super Health Centers". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Malasakit Center Opens in Las Pinas City". The Manila Times.
  49. ↑ "146th Malasakit Center Opens in Las Pinas". Manila Bulletin.
  50. ↑ "PDP-Laban faction formally nominates Go-Duterte for 2022, but senator rejects endorsement anew". CNN Philippines. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  51. ↑ Mendoza, John Eric (October 2, 2021). "Bong Go files candidacy for vice president in 2022 polls". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  52. ↑ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (October 8, 2021). "What if Sara Duterte substitutes for dela Rosa? 'Mas maganda,' Bato says". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  53. ↑ "PDP-Laban fields Bato-Bong tandem". Philippine News Agency. October 9, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  54. ↑ Medenilla, Samuel (November 13, 2021). "'Bato' drops presidential bid, but VP running mate Bong Go files new COC for president under new party". BusinessMirror. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  55. ↑ "President Duterte to run for VP, Andanar says". ABS-CBN News. November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Rason ng pagbabago sa kandidatura, ipinaliwanag ni Senator Bong Go" [Reason for the change of candidacy, explained by Senator Bong go]. RMN Networks (in Tagalog). November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  57. ↑ Jalea, Glee (November 15, 2021). "Bong Go running under PDDS to avoid complications in candidacy — Cusi's PDP-Laban". CNN Philippines. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  58. ↑ Gregorio, Xave (November 17, 2021). "Duterte endorses Bong Go-Sara Duterte tandem at dinner for House lawmakers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  59. ↑ "Bong Go formally withdraws presidential bid". CNN Philippines. December 14, 2021. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  60. ↑ Patinio, Ferdinand (December 14, 2021). "Go formally drops out of presidential race". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  61. ↑ Bordey, Hana (July 4, 2022). "Refiling Disaster Resilience Dep't bill tops Bong Go priorities in 19th Congress". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  62. ↑ Ismael, Javier Joe (July 16, 2022). "Bong Go reintroduces evacuation center bill". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  63. ↑ "Bong Go files bill institutionalizing One Town, One Product program to help boost recovery, innovation among MSMEs". Philippine Information Agency. July 11, 2022. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  64. ↑ "Bong Go continues to push for fast and reliable public services for Filipinos; files priority bills for the 19th Congress". Philippine Information Agency. July 8, 2022. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  65. ↑ Mangaluz, Jean (February 4, 2023). "Bong Go, 3 other senators file bill seeking more benefits for ex-presidents". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  66. ↑ "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  67. ↑ The Wires (June 6, 2018). "SAP Bong Go to play for Muntinlupa in MPBL opener against Mandaluyong". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  68. ↑ "Bong Go defends move to play in MPBL, says it's all for the promotion of basketball in the country". Hoops PH. June 10, 2018. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  69. ↑ "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
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