Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to Filipino voters to ‘protect the sanctity of their ballots’ by steering clear of vote buying and other coercive practices during the upcoming May 9 elections.

“Huwag kayong magpapasindak! Huwag kayong magpapadala sa mga pananakot at panunuhol para lang iboto ang mga lider na hindi naman ninyo gusto at hindi kumakatawan sa interes ng higit na nakararami. Patuloy tayong maging mapagmatyag sa mga susunod na linggo at hanggang sa mismong araw ng halalan.” Go said in a news release on Thursday.

He reminded the electorate that the candidates they elect should be their personal decision.

Go echoed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call for orderly, fair and credible elections to ensure that Filipino people’s will prevails.

Duterte earlier pledged to combat election-related violence in the polls.

“Katulad ni Pangulong Duterte, ito rin po ang aking pananaw at panawagan sa lahat. Dapat maging patas at tahimik ang halalan upang matiyak na ang magiging resulta ng eleksyon ay tunay na kumakatawan sa kagustuhan ng sambayanang Pilipino.” Go said.

Meanwhile, Go reassured Filipinos that despite the nearing elections, his priority as a public servant is to aid vulnerable communities nationwide, especially those negatively impacted by the pandemic.