Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has officially dismissed allegations that former President Rodrigo Duterte attempted to pair him with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a running mate for the 2022 national elections.
The senator’s statement comes as a direct rebuttal to claims made by former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Jacinto Paras, who suggested in a televised interview that the elder Duterte had approached Marcos to negotiate a potential tandem with Go.
Clarifying the “Sara-Go” Vision
According to Go, the former President’s true intentions were publicly documented on October 2, 2021. On that day, Go filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president under the PDP-Laban banner, accompanied by Rodrigo Duterte himself.
Go emphasized that the administration’s strategy was focused on internal continuity rather than an alliance with the Marcos camp.
“Mismong si (former President) pa noon ang sumama sa akin sa pag-file at nag-anunsyo sa media at publiko kung ano ang kanyang tunay na gusto,” Go stated. “To quote Tatay Digong, ‘SARA-GO!’”
Strategy for Continuity
The senator explained that the filings of both his candidacy and that of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for the presidency were tactical moves designed to keep the door open for then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
The goal, he noted, was to preserve the programs and political legacy of the Duterte administration.
“Kung matatandaan, naghain din noon ng kandidatura sa pagka-pangulo si Sen. Ronald dela Rosa. Pareho naming layunin na manatiling bukas kay noo’y Mayor Sara Duterte ang presidency sakaling mag-desisyon siya noon na tumakbo,” he recalled.
“Water Under the Bridge”
Despite the shifting political tides that eventually saw Sara Duterte run for vice president alongside Marcos, Go maintains that his decision to ultimately withdraw from the race was rooted in personal loyalty and administrative stability.
“But that is all water under the bridge now,” Go added. “Alam naman ng lahat na hindi ako tumuloy sa pagtakbo dahil pinahahalagahan ko ang maayos na relasyon ng pamilya Duterte, at para na rin masigurong maayos ang pagtatapos ng Duterte administration noong 2022— na mataas ang approval rating!”
By clarifying these events, Go aims to set the record straight against what he describes as “inaccurate” accounts of the high-stakes political maneuvering that preceded the 2022 polls.