Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Sunday appealed to thousands of students in Dumaguete City, provincial capital of Negros Oriental, to stay away from illegal drugs.
Speaking before a jam-packed Perdices Memorial Coliseum in this capital, the President’s most trusted aide pointed out the ill-effects and dangers of illegal drug use.
“Likayan gyud nato ning droga kay mugamay gyud ang utok nato ani (We must avoid illegal drugs because it shrinks our brain),” Go told students from various levels from the different public and private schools in Dumaguete.
Go was guest of honor and speaker during the Nutri-Fest 2018, a project of the local government of Dumaguete headed by Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, in line with the celebration of Nutrition Month this July.
In his brief message, Go said the Duterte administration remains committed to curb the problem of illegal drugs and corruption in government, among others.
On corruption, he highlighted that the President is serious in weeding out corrupt officials in government, even those who helped him in his campaign during the 2016 presidential election.
“Daghan gyud to nitabang niya sa kampanya pero nia ana gyud si mayor (Duterte) magbuwag-buwag ta (Many had helped our mayor during the campaign but he stressed that we will be parting ways)” because the President’s interest is “para sa bayan” (for the country),” Go said.
On peace and order, he reiterated that the declaration of martial law was essential in Mindanao to crush terrorism and attain peace, especially after the Maute terrorist group attacked and besieged Marawi City.
“Kung wala niya to gihuman ang giyera sa Marawi, delikado ang Manila, ang Davao, ang GenSan, ang Cagayan (If he did not finish the war in Marawi, areas like Manila, Davao, Gensan and Cagayan would have been in danger),” he added.
Go made special mention of the military and the police in their role in securing peace and order, especially with the dangers that they face each day.
Meanwhile, he appealed to teachers to “bear with the President in doubling the pay-check of the police first because they are ones on the frontline in security efforts.”
The Palace official also announced that he will donate an ambulance to Negros Oriental that was donated to him by a friend “to ferry your patients” from far-flung areas.
During the Nutri-Fest 2018 event, Go was joined by Davao City 1st District Rep. Karlo Nograles, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, actor Philip Salvador, and other local officials.
Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go called on his supporters to stop putting up billboards or hang tarpaulins bearing his name and photos amid criticisms that he is already allegedly preparing for a Senate run.
“Sabi ko, andaming seloso dyan eh. Kaya lahat ng billboard pinagbibintangan na galing sa akin (I tell them, alot of people are jealous. They claim that all those billboards come from me),” Go said in a chance interview in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Sunday.
“Kaya nananawagan ako sa mga supporters ko na imbes na ibili niyo ng billboard, ilagay mukha ko, ibili niyo na lang po ng plywood, ibigay natin sa mga nasunugan. Makakatulong ito sa pagpapatayo ng bahay. (I call on my supporters that instead of buying billboards and putting my picture there, you just buy plywood, and let’s give it to fire victims. This will help in building their houses),” he added.
Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other government critics earlier alleged that Go is already preparing to run for senator, citing posters and billboard advertisement allegedly campaigning for Go.
Go had since denied the allegations, saying it is not his fault if his supporters put up the materials and that he does not know who are placing them in the first place.
The presidential assistant, however, said although he appreciates what his supporters are doing, he is discouraging them from continuing the practice.
He said even if his supporters do not stop, Trillanes need not worry since he would persuade them to place a picture of Trillanes next to his so that the lawmaker will not get jealous.
Go had urged his supporters to “buy plywood” and help fire victims rebuild their houses, in line with his advocacy “Sapatos ni SAP, Tsinelas Ka-Swap”, which is aimed at reaching out to indigents across the country by giving them not just shoes, but a “new spring in their steps.”
Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Sunday, July 1, said government authorities are doing their best to bring to justice the killers of Davao del Norte-based journalist Dennis Denora.
Denora, publisher of the weekly newspaper Trends and Times, was killed by riding-in-tandem gunmen in an ambush in Panabo City on June 7.
“They are already zeroing in on the suspects,” Go told media in Tagum City in Davao del Norte.
Go was referring to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) which has been ordered by Malacañang to investigate the Denora killing. PTFoMS is headed by Communications Undersecretary Joel Egco.
PTFoMS was created by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2016 to investigate media killings and harassment.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in a press briefing in Davao City on June 28, assured that the Duterte administration is seriously looking into the killing of media practitioners.
The government’s initiatives are not merely a “lip service,” said Roque. Earlier a day after Denora was killed, Egco said an “influential politician” could be behind the murder.
The multi-agency Task Force Denora, created by the Davao del Norte provincial police office, earlier said it was looking into politics as a possible motive in the killing of the Panabo City-based journalist.
Denora, who also anchors a daily commentary program in a local radio station, was an avid critic of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Alvarez, who represents Davao del Norte’s first congressional district, denied hand in the killing.
Friends of Denora, including Governor Anthony del Rosario and 2nd District Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr., have raised P1.5 million as prize for information that could lead to Denora’s killers.
Over 100 boy and girl Aetas received free shoes through ‘Sapatos ni SAP, Tsinelas Ka-Swap’ program of Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go.
Vandolf Lundang, an Aeta adopted by the local government of Antipolo City, was one of the beneficiaries of the program, the top aide of President Rodrigo Duterte said.
“Distributing shoes might be a simple thing but I believe, it would inspire and make happy our Filipino children,” Go said during the event held at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Rizal on Saturday.
HUG OF JOY. Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go embraces Vandolf Lundang, an Aeta from Pampanga, after giving him a pair of shoes during the launching of the “Sapatos ni SAP, Tsinelas Ka-Swap”, held at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Rizal on Saturday (June 23, 2018). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
In previous events, Go has even given his personal shoes in exchange of dilapidated slippers in different places particularly to fire victims.
The ‘Sapatos ni SAP, Tsinelas Ka-Swap’ program is supported by Puregold Price Club Inc., San Miguel Corporation, Robinsons Land Corporation, Family Mart, Robinsons Malls, Megawide Construction Co., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., 2Go Group of Companies, and World Balance.
Aside from giving away shoes, Go also led a ‘3-pointer ng Bayan’, a competition which reflects the three-point agenda of the Duterte administration against corruption, criminality and illegal drugs.
He said it aims to encourage the youth to focus more on sports and turn away from illicit activities.
Help fire victims instead
Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go called on his supporters to stop putting up billboards or hang tarpaulins bearing his name and photos amid criticisms that he is already allegedly preparing for a Senate run.
DURIAN POST BUSINESS & NEWS DIRECTORY 