Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go aided victims of a fire incident in Brgy. Sun Valley, NAIA, Pasay City on Monday, October 7, where 60 houses were razed down and 102 families, comprising of 798 individuals, were affected by the disaster.
Accompanying Go to provide government assistance to the victims were representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH) and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).
Aside from the grocery packs and financial assistance provided by his office, Go said that he is also providing school supplies and uniforms to affected children so they can resume their schooling as soon as possible.
In an ambush interview, Go said that when he heard about the fire incident in Pasay City, he immediately visited the victims upon arriving in Manila from Davao City.
“Ako po, pagkagaling sa Russia, umuwi muna ng Davao. Nang mabalitaan ko ang sunog dito sa Pasay, agad po tayong pumunta para makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga biktima,” Go said who just came back from Russia with President Rodrigo Duterte.
Asked about the salary increase for teachers, Go said he has filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 200 which seeks to increase the salary of civilian government personnel, including teachers and nurses in public service.
“Holistic po ang approach nitong panukalang batas na ito. Kasama na rin dito ang ating mga guro,” said Go. “Suportado rin po ito ng Pangulo.”
Go also said that Filipinos have nothing to worry about regarding the health condition of the President.
“Nothing serious about it as it has not progressed at localized lang po ito according to his doctor,” Go said.
President Duterte revealed during his appearance before the Filipino community in Russia late Saturday that he has the autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis. The President explained that the illness is a result of a nerve malfunction and that he acquired it from his grandfather.
“Yes, kaya napapansin niyo medyo maliit ‘yung isang mata niya paminsan,” Go further explained.
Meanwhile, Go assured the public that the alleged “ninja cops” involved in illegal drugs and abuse of authority will be held accountable. He is also awaiting the results of the investigation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Papangalanan po ng Pangulo ang dalawang colonel na sinasabing ninja cops. Hintayin po natin ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng DILG at DOJ. Managot (ang) dapat managot,” said Go.
“Para sa akin ang ganda na ng takbo ng kapulisan natin. Naibalik na ang tiwala at respeto ng mga tao. Huwag po sanang sayangin,” he added, stressing that he still trusts the police. “Ako po, buo pa rin ang tiwala sa ating mga pulis.”
With the looming retirement of current Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde, Go clarified that President Duterte’s decision to bring some police generals in his Russia visit is not an indicator of the possible successor for the post.
“Wala pong kinalaman ang pag-imbita niya sa kanila sa papalit as PNP chief. Hindi po indicator iyon,” said Go. “Basta inimbitahan po sila ng Pangulo, inimbitahan din naman niya ang mga may Medal of Valor. Kasama dito yung mga wounded-in-action soldiers. Konsuwelo rin sa pagsisilbi nila sa bayan.”
Go also said that the President is making sure that the next head of the country’s police agency will continue to carry out the reforms in the PNP.
“Pinagpipilian pa ng Pangulo at siyempre, (pinagpipilian niya) kung sino po ang makakapagdala at makakapagpatuloy ng reporma ng PNP,” the senator shared.
Go pointed out that the “internal cleansing” inside the PNP should continue to further boost the administration’s campaign against corruption inside the agency.
“‘Yung kanilang internal cleansing ay dapat tuloy-tuloy po ito. Sabi nga ng Pangulo, dapat ihiwalay ‘yung mga bulok para hindi naman po madamay ‘yung iba. Sayang naman po ‘yung mga inumpisahang internal cleansing ng PNP,” Go added.
Go added that the next PNP chief has big shoes to fill.
“Medyo crucial ang next chief PNP. Ayaw naming ma-demoralize ang mga pulis. Tuluy tuloy ang internal cleansing at ang respeto ng mga tao ay naibalik na sa kanila. Suportado namin sila. Mahihirapan po tayo sa kampanya natin laban sa iligal na droga at kriminalidad kung wala sila,” said Go.
“As a senator, as part ng nag-imbestiga sa Senado, gusto natin itaas ulit ang morale ng mga pulis. Nadadamay na sila sa mga bulok,” he added.
Asked about the qualities that the next PNP chief should have, Go said that he must prioritize public service above everything else.
“Prerogative po yan ng Pangulo. Kailangan may trust at confidence niya. Para sa akin kung sino ang makakapagtuloy ng laban sa droga at kriminalidad, siya ang dapat sumunod na maging PNP chief. Basta matapang at merong will to fight illegal drugs. At saka dapat ang priority niya ay magserbisyo sa tao at wala nang iba,” said Go. (senate.gov.ph)