Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in his Senate press briefing on Thursday, October 16, underscored that as a person from Mindanao, he upheld the Filipino cultural value of delicadeza, or sense of propriety and moral integrity, that has protected his name in his many years in public service.
“Mula noon hanggang ngayon ang pinanghahawakan ko po ang delicadeza. I observed delicadeza in my whole life. Bilang isang probinsiyano na taga-Mindanao, Batangueñong bisaya, pangalan ko lang po ang aking pinanghahawakan,” Go said.
Go added, “Hinding hindi ko po sasayangin iyung tiwala at boto na ibinigay po ng taumbayan. Ginawa ninyo akong number one, hindi ko sasayanagin iyung tiwalang ibinigay ninyo po sa akin.”
The senator’s name has been unfairly dragged into the issue of anomalous flood-control projects. This came after allegations linked the senator to the Discayas.
“I welcome any investigation, let the facts speak for themselves. Wala po akong itinatago, wala po akong kinakatakutan dahil wala akong kasalanan. Hindi ako sangkot sa anumang anomalya. Ang aking sinumpaang tungkulin ay ang maglingkod sa bayan. At hinding hindi ko po sasayangin iyung tiwalang ibinigay po ng taumbayan sa akin,” Go emphasized.
Go acknowledged that his proximity to the former president and his position have made him a target of political attacks and name-dropping. He then recalled how he drew a clear line between public service and family businesses.
“Noong naging mayor siya isa lang po ang ipinakiusap ko noon. Sabi ko, kapag pumasok ‘yung kamag-anak ko sa government transaction sa city hall, I will resign. Pagpumasok sila sa Malacañang noon, I will resign. Dahil I observe delicadeza. Pinapili ko noon – pumasok kayo, aalis ako. Iyan lang po ang puhunan ko rito, uulitin ko, delicadeza,” Go stated.