FROM the looks of it, Senator Bong Go – and not Senator Manny Pacquiao would be the administration party’s standard bearing in time for the 2022 presidential election.
At the inauguration of the newly-constructed Port Operations Building at the Port of Dumaguete in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, no less than President Rodrigo Duterte made the announcement of Senator Go’s supposed plan to run for President next year, even as PDP Laban hinted at a part resolution urging the former to run for the position of Vice President to whoever he may anoint.
“Itong si Senator Bong Go, pababa kami sa eroplano, sabi niya na ‘Sir, may hingin sana ako saýo ng pabor.’ Sabi ko, ‘Ano?’ Sabi niya, ‘Medyo, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth, malayo pa pero ikaw na lang ang mag-sabi sa kanila.’ Sabihin ko, ang totoo talaga, isang bagay lang. Sabihin daw sa inyo, gusto niya maging president,” Duterte said.
While Malacanang has yet issued any statement, which would determine the truthfulness of the President’s remarks, Duterte’s announcement drew cheers from the crowd.
Duterte’s latest statement came despite Go’s insistence that he is not gunning for the presidency in 2022.
The Daily Tribune earlier came out with an exclusive story of an imminent tandem that would see Go and Duterte run for president and vice president, respectively.
Earlier, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters that he doesn’t have any idea on the supposed tandem of Go and Duterte.
Aside from Go, Duterte also hinted at the possibility of his top lawyer, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, seeking a seat at the Senate in the 2022 national and local elections. He also alluded that Panelo could be a “good senator” in the future, praising Panelo’s credentials, noting that the Palace official’s former clients include celebrities.
“Sal Panelo is the lawyer. Ito ‘yung abugado ng mga artista. Totoo, ‘yung mga iskandalo, nag-aaway. Kaniya iyang lahat. High profile itong si Sal. And maybe, he would make a good senator someday,” Duterte said.
Other names which Duterte floated as possible inclusion in their senatorial line-up include Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Roque, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.