Self-declared ‘utility man’ of the president and his most loyal aide, Bong Go served Duterte for more than 20 years since his Davao mayoralty stint. In 2015, he personally filed Duterte’s certificate of candidacy on Duterte’s behalf. He was also a key figure in providing Duterte a chance for substitution as the presidential candidate of political party PDP-Laban.
When Duterte won the highest seat in the land in 2016, a position as the Special Assistant to the President was specially created for him. When Bong Go’s name was linked in the frigates deal, Duterte defended him. And when he filed his certificate of candidacy for senator in the midterm polls, Duterte personally accompanied him.
As a senator, Bong Go recently filed his first legislative measures, which “are for the sick, ordinary workers, calamity victims and the youth.” His first bill seeks to institutionalize Malasakit Centers to make quality healthcare more affordable and accessible.
