Ballot 28:
Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino
Age: 50 (born June 14, 1974)
Highest educational attainment: B.S. Marketing, Ateneo de Davao University
Endorsed by: Former president Rodrigo Duterte
Reelectionist Go said he will continue to focus on healthcare services, being the main proponent of Malasakit Centers. He also intends to improve food security, jobs, education and youth. Go wants to promote sports to divert the youth from illegal drug use.
Field of Expertise
- First Congressional District Office (1998–2001)
- Office of the City Mayor (2001–2010; 2013–2016)
- Office of the Vice Mayor (2010–2013)
Issues and Controversies
Go was accused of financing the killing of illegal drug suspects under former president Rodrigo Duterte by self-confessed former hitmen, who submitted written testimonies to the International Criminal Court, and by former police colonel Royina Garma in her testimony before the House quad committee.
The House quad committee has recommended that Go be charged with crimes against humanity over his alleged involvement in extrajudicial drug war killings.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a plunder complaint against Go in 2024, accusing him of awarding P6 billion in warship contracts to companies owned by his family from 2007 to 2018. Go was investigated over the issue in 2018, and he claimed innocence.
Where this candidate stands on top 5 concerns of the Filipino voter
- Initiated the Malasakit Centers in 2018 by sponsoring its legislation to provide medical relief amid rising inflation. These centers coordinate aid from PhilHealth, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
- Co-authored Senate Bill No. 2534 seeking to increase the daily minimum wage by P100.
- Authored several bills seeking to promote rural industries, one of which has become law – the Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022.
- One of 17 senators who voted in 2021 to tax and legalize Philippine offshore gaming operations. In 2024, he did an about-face and claimed he had always opposed POGOs.
- Filed several bills pushing to intensify government accounting and modernize government agencies to curb red tape and corruption.
- Condemned China’s various acts of aggression in the West Philippine Sea and has repeatedly called on Beijing to respect the 2016 arbitral ruling.
- Filed Senate Bill No. 2112 seeking to modernize the Philippine Coast Guard in order to beef up the country’s defense in the West Philippine Sea.
- A vocal supporter of Duterte’s war on drugs, calling the allegations of a reward system in the killing of drug suspects “baseless”.
- Asserts that the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction in the country and has backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to not cooperate with their investigation.
- Mobilizes his Malasakit team to distribute post-calamity relief.
- Filed bills establishing a Department of Disaster Resilience and mandating evacuation centers to be set up in every city, municipality and province in the country.
Interesting Facts
- First rose to fame in 2016 as the “Pambansang Photobomber” due to his selfies with Duterte along with visiting dignitaries and other personalities.
- Played with the local basketball team Muntinlupa Cagers in June 2018.
- Initially denied his intent to run for the Senate in 2018, saying “joke lang ni PRRD [Duterte] ‘yung pagtakbo.” He then placed third in the 2019 midterm elections.