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Bong Go

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Tesoro and the surname or paternal family name is Go.
The Honorable
Bong Go
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2019
Chair of the Philippine Senate
Health and Sports Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 22, 2019
Special Assistant to
the President of the Philippines
In office
June 30, 2016 – October 15, 2018
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byJulia Abad
Succeeded byJesus Melchor Quitain (OIC)[1]
Personal details
Born
Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go

(1974-06-14) June 14, 1974 (age 50)
Davao City, Philippines
Political partyPDP–Laban (2016-2021)
PDDS (2021-present)
Other political
affiliations		Hugpong ng Pagbabago (2018-2021)
Alma materAteneo de Davao University
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: [ˈgo]; born June 14, 1974) is a Filipino politician serving as a Senator since 2019. He previously served in President Rodrigo Duterte's Cabinet as Special Assistant to the President and Head of the Presidential Management Staff from June 2016 to October 2018.[2][3] Go has served as the personal aide and special assistant to Duterte since 1998, back when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City.[4][5]

He also currently chairs the Senate committee on health and demography.[6]

Early life and education

Go was born on June 14, 1974, to a Chinese Filipino family.[7][8] He is the son of Davao-based businessman Desiderio Go[9] and Batangas-native Marichu Tesoro-Go.[10] He is a grandson of August Tesoro, who founded one of the largest printing companies in Davao City.[11]

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.[12][13]

Career

Duterte's aide (1998–present)

Senator Bong 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 while at a hotel in Tokyo on October 22, 2019.

Since 1998, Bong 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'.[14][15]

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.[16] 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.[17]

Special Assistant to the President (2016–2018)

Then President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on June 2, 2016 announced the appointment of Christopher Go as the Special Assistant to the President and is tasked to provide general supervision to the Presidential Management Staff.[18]

During his 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 Bong 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.[19] Bong Go denied the allegations, declaring that he would resign if ever he was proven guilty and claimed that the media and his critics are endangering national security.[20] 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.[21] Duterte defended Go, saying that "he owns a yacht, therefore he doesn't need to steal in the frigate deal".[22] The Malacañang also made their stand clear that Bong Go did not intervene.[23] A probe by the Senate regarding the deal was made, but did no further clarifications about Go's role on the deal.[24][25]

During his time as Special Assistant to the President, he became known for selfies he posted online, saying he values these images as part of his "personal collection".[26][27]

Bong Go (left) with President Rodrigo Duterte (right) 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)

Bong 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 includes pledges to build healthcare and social service facilities dubbed as "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.[28]

Even before his formal filing of candidacy, Go has already been subject of allegations of premature campaigning.[29][30][31][32] 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[33] and on one occasion said that it was done under the President's directive.[34] He also urged his supporters to stopped "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.[35]

After the election, Go garnered roughly 21 million votes 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,[36] the postponement of the 2020 Sangguniang Kabataan elections on the barangay level,[37] 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.[38]

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

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.[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]

On July 17, 2020, Go was involved in a controversy when a college student was filed a subpoena order by the NBI after Bong Go complained of the student sharing a post on social media possibly containing fake news which were against the Senator.[43]

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.[44][45]

Vice Presidential bid

See also: Bong Go 2022 presidential campaign
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.[46] However, Duterte withdrew from his vice presidential bid, and Go filed a certificate of candidacy for the position of vice president instead. Go filed his certificate of candidacy on October 2, 2021.[47] Fellow Senator Ronald dela Rosa then became his running mate after he unexpectedly[48] filed his certificate of candidacy on October 8.[49]

Bong Go's substitution for presidency and campaign

Dela Rosa's original vice president candidate, Bong Go, also withdrew his bid for the vice presidency on November 13, 2021.[50] Go will be running for president under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) party instead. He substituted the candidacy of Grepor Belgica, father of Greco Belgica.[51] 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. While he is formally running under a different party, he vowed to continue to the plans of incumbent President Duterte's administration.[52]

Go has been touted to run for president prior to the official filing of candidacies in October 2021. Go has repeatedly denied that he would run for president.[53][54][55] In August 2021, Go declared that he would contest in the presidential elections if President Duterte would be his vice president candidate.[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 is 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 anticipate that there would be legal issues had Go substituted the candidacy of Ronald dela Rosa as president if the COMELEC ruled dela Rosa's candidacy as invalid. Cusi's PDP-Laban has adopted and endorse Go as their presidential candidate for the 2022 election.[57]

Incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte reportedly would file his candidacy for vice president on November 15, 2021, but he filed his candidacy for senator instead.[58][59] The Go campaign has no formal vice president candidate. President Rodrigo Duterte has endorsed his daughter Sara Duterte as Go's vice president.[60]

On November 30, 2021, Go announced he is 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.[61][62]

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.[63]

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.[64][65] He rarely played appearing in only one season with the team, to focus on his Senate job and on assisting Duterte as his personal assistant.[66]

References

  1. ^ "Duterte appoints Jesus Melchor Quitain as new special assistant". ABS-CBN News. November 12, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  2. ^ "Bong Go to head Palace management staff, Andanar to head PCOO". GMA News. June 2, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  3. ^ "Duterte appoints closest aide, broadcaster to Palace posts". The Philippine Star. June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  4. ^ "BT: Bong Go, executive assistant ni Duterte mula pa 1998 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  5. ^ "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  6. ^ Cepeda, Mara. "Renationalizing hospitals: Go tries but fails to end Senate debates". rappler.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  7. ^ "Duterte heaps praises on SAP Bong Go". Manila Standard. April 12, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  8. ^ "Fact check: Sergio Osmeña was actually the first Chinese Filipino senator". The Philippine Star. September 26, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "Top Davao gov't infra contractor owned by Bong Go kin – PCIJ". Rappler. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  10. ^ Samonte, Mauro Gia (June 13, 2020). "The many wonders of Bong Go's welfare world". The Manila Times. 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Jimenez, Atty Josephus B. "The godfather's triumvirate". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "A photobomber in Duterte campaign". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 8, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  13. ^ Regalado, Edith R. "A selfie with Bong Go". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "BT: Bong Go, executive assistant ni Duterte mula pa 1998 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  15. ^ "The President's Men and Women: Bong Go: The man behind the President". The Philippine Star. August 1, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  16. ^ "Who's who in Duterte's inner circle". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 9, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  17. ^ Rodrigo Duterte to seek re-election as Davao City mayor – CNN Philippines.
  18. ^ Diola, Camille (June 3, 2016). "Duterte appoints closest aide, broadcaster to Palace posts". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  19. ^ "TIMELINE | What we need to know: Bong Go and the P16-B Navy frigate deal". Interaksyon. February 19, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  20. ^ "Bong Go: Frigate deal controversy endangering national security". CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "Sacked Navy official speaks up: 'I am still hurting'". CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  22. ^ "Duterte: Bong Go a 'yacht-owner,' need not steal in frigate deal". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  23. ^ News, Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN. "Palace: 'Very clear' Bong Go did not intervene in frigate deal". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2018. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ "Senate probe exposes root of frigates deal mess". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  25. ^ "5 nagging questions after the Senate frigates probe". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  26. ^ Nawal, Allan. "Bong Go: From national photobomber to king of selfies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  27. ^ "Even as senator, Bong Go to still 'assist' Duterte". Rappler. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  28. ^ Panti, Llanesca (October 15, 2018). "Bong Go files COC, seeks Senate seat in 2019 polls". GMA News. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  29. ^ "Nothing illegal with premature campaigning — Supreme Court". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  30. ^ "Comelec warns vs 'premature campaigning'". Manila Standard. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  31. ^ Matriano, Kate. "WATCH: Ex Battalion sings campaign jingle for Bong Go". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  32. ^ "Do Bong Go's donations, billboards violate government ethics code?". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  33. ^ News, Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN. "'Bong Go' phones as gov't souvenirs? Duterte aide explains". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2018. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "Bong Go tarps, relief goods, cellphones: President's aide has a disclaimer". Interaksyon. July 13, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  35. ^ Reysio-Cruz, Matthew. "Netizens want Go's posters gone". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  36. ^ "Bong Go files bill creating Department of Disaster Resilience". www.senate.gov.ph.
  37. ^ "Marcos, Go files bills seeking postponement of 2020 barangay SK election". Manila Bulletin.
  38. ^ Galvez, Daphne (July 2, 2019). "Go files bill restoring death penalty for heinous crimes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  39. ^ Parrocha, Azer (December 3, 2019). "PRRD signs Malasakit Center law". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  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. ^ "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.
  44. ^ "Malasakit Center Opens in Las Pinas City". Manila Times.
  45. ^ "146th Malasakit Center Opens in Las Pinas".
  46. ^ "PDP-Laban faction formally nominates Go-Duterte for 2022, but senator rejects endorsement anew". cnn. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  47. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (October 2, 2021). "Bong Go files candidacy for vice president in 2022 polls". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  48. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (October 8, 2021). "What if Sara Duterte substitutes for dela Rosa? 'Mas maganda,' Bato says". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  49. ^ "PDP-Laban fields Bato-Bong tandem". www.pna.gov.ph. October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  50. ^ 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.
  51. ^ "President Duterte to run for VP, Andanar says". ABS-CBN News. November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  52. ^ "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.
  53. ^ Valente, Catherine (July 22, 2021). "Duterte has no plan to be 'successor-president'". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  54. ^ Domingo, Katrina (July 21, 2021). "Palace belies Go-Duterte tandem in 2022 elections". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  55. ^ Calayag, Keith (July 8, 2021). "PDP-Laban execs, members push Go-Duterte tandem". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  56. ^ Ismael, Javier Joe (August 6, 2021). "Bong Go: I will run for president if Duterte will be my running mate". The Manila Times. 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. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (November 13, 2021). "Bong Go to run as president but not under PDP-Laban". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  59. ^ Perez-Rubio, Bella (November 15, 2021). "No retirement after all: President Duterte to run for senator". PhilStar.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  60. ^ Gregorio, Xave (November 17, 2021). "Duterte endorses Bong Go-Sara Duterte tandem at dinner for House lawmakers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  61. ^ "Bong Go formally withdraws presidential bid". CNN Philippines. December 14, 2021. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  62. ^ 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.
  63. ^ "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  64. ^ 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.
  65. ^ "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.
  66. ^ "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
Political offices
Preceded by
Julia Abad
 The Head of the Presidential Management Staff
2016–2018 		Succeeded by
Jesus Melchor Quitain
(OIC)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Bong_Go&oldid=1064794955"