Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, also President Rodrigo Duterte’s long-time aide, on Saturday filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president in a surprise move on Day 2 of COC filing.
Go was accompanied by Duterte during when he formalized his vice presidential bid at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City, the venue for filing for national posts, at 3 p.m.
This move is a deviation from the previous 2022 national elections plans of the ruling party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) under the faction of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
Last September, Cusi, also the PDP-Laban president,You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. that the neophyte lawmaker was nominated to run for presidency while Duterte would be his running mate.
Go, however, rejected his nomination as the group’s standard-bearer, citing he would rather dedicate his time in helping his countrymen.
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In a brief talk with reporters following the filing, the senator stated that he will be a “working vice president” should he win the national polls.
“I will be a working vice president. Hindi ako magiging spare tire o reserba lamang,” Go You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
He also expressed confidence that the chief executive will be his top “campaigner.”
“Dito pa rin si Pangulong Duterte bilang pangulo at number one campaigner. Walang iwanan sa laban na ito,” the former presidential aide was quoted as You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Duterte wished him good luck.
“I wish Sen. Bong Go good luck in his quest for the vice presidency,” heYou do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Some Filipino online users also considered the move a “plot twist” from a supposed Go-Duterte tandem.
“PLOT TWIST,” one user You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
“Ready for the switcheroo,” another userYou do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Duterte has been vocal in his intention to run for vice presidency, that is to supposedly shield himself from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.
“Sabi ng batas, na kung presidente ka, bise presidente ka, may immunity ka. Eh di tatakbo na lang akong bise presidente,” he said in a previous briefing.
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Last June, ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda requested a green light in their probe into the administration’s bloody drug war, citing possible crime against humanity of murder.
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After Go filed his COC, Duterte announced his retirement from politics. He also made the You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., months before he decided to run for presidency.
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