Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has categorically dismissed renewed allegations linking him to supposed benefits from his family’s construction business, emphasizing that these issues are recycled, malicious, and long discredited.
In a detailed statement, Go underscored that his conscience is clear and that his record of public service remains untainted by personal gain.
“There are certain reports regarding my family’s construction business, and the insinuation that I was personally involved or had benefited is nothing new. These are old, recycled, and malicious. Malinis ang konsensya ko because I observe delicadeza noon pa man hanggang sa ngayon. Para sa isang simpleng probinsyanong katulad ko, iniingatan ko talaga ang pangalan ko,” the senator declared.
He recounted how the same allegations have repeatedly surfaced during key political seasons, particularly around election years, only to be debunked each time. “Unang lumabas ang alegasyong ‘yan noong 2018, noong ako ay tumakbo sa unang pagkakataon sa pagka Senador. Ni-recycle na naman nila ‘yan noong 2021 habang papalapit ang halalang 2022. Bago ang nakaraang halalan, ni-recycle na naman nila noong 2024.”
“Ngayong mainit ang usaping 2028 elections, binubuhay na naman nila ang isyung ilang ulit na namatay, pilit na binubuhay. Para sa iba, parang naging tradisyon at negosyo na ang paninira nila sa kapwa tao,” he added.
Calling the smear tactics a “bulok” practice, Go stressed that the public has already grown tired of baseless attacks. “Ito ay estilong bulok at hindi na kinakagat ng taumbayan dahil hindi naman makatotohanan. Tatapunan ka ng putik, pipinturahan ka ng itim para lang magmukhang malinis at maputi sila.”
For emphasis, he reiterated that his family’s business existed long before he entered politics and that none of his relatives ever benefited from his position in government. “Uulitin ko ang sinabi ko noon: for the record, wala pa ako sa mundong ito ay meron nang lehitimo at maayos na negosyo ang aking pamilya. Pero ni minsan, ni piso, hindi nakinabang ang aking pamilya sa pagiging taong gobyerno ko.”
He then stressed that he has always kept a clear boundary between his public service and family matters, highlighting that he never allowed relatives to take advantage of his position. “Kahit sino ang tanungin ninyo, mula pa noong sa Davao City pa lang ako nagtatrabaho hanggang ngayon, hindi nakakalapit ang mga kamag-anak ko sa akin—kahit sarili kong tatay at half-brother—para ilakad ang anumang kontrata sa gobyerno. Nag-warning na ako noon: ang sinumang gagamit sa pangalan ko, consider it denied na.”
Go also recalled his active role in ensuring accountability within infrastructure projects. He pointed out that as early as August 2023, during a Senate Public Works Committee hearing on flood-control projects, he raised questions about unnecessary or misaligned initiatives.
“Noong August 2023, sa Senate Public Works Committee hearing namin hinggil sa mga flood-control projects, kinuwestyon ko na mismo kung bakit andaming mga proyekto sa mga lugar na wala namang mga tao. Hiningi din natin sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ang kanilang accomplishment report, master plan at project prioritization upang masiguro natin na ginagamit ang pera ng taumbayan sa mga programa at proyekto na ramdam ng mga tao ang benepisyo.”
In a decisive step to finally put the recurring issue to rest, Go announced his intention to co-author a pending bill that seeks to bar the relatives of government officials, up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity, from entering into contracts with the government.
“At ngayon, upang tuluyang matuldukan ang mga haka-hakang ito, magsusulat ako sa main author ng Senate Bill No. 783 na gawin akong co-author. Ang panukalang ito ay layong ipagbawal na pumasok sa anumang kontrata ng gobyerno, mula national level hanggang sa LGU level, ang mga kamag-anak ng government officials hanggang sa fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity.”
Senate President Francis Escudero filed SBN 783 to disqualify public officials and their relatives up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from entering into government contracts. The proposal is framed as an anti-conflict-of-interest measure that builds on the newly enacted Republic Act No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act.
It covers transactions for supplies, infrastructure, joint ventures, and public-private partnerships, with narrow carve-outs for engagements deemed highly technical, proprietary, or confidential.
Go concluded his statement with a reminder that politics should not stand in the way of genuine service to the people. “Bakit hindi na lang tayo magtrabaho para sa mga Pilipino. Maingay na masyado. Serbisyo, hindi pulitika, ang kailangan ng mga Pilipino.”