Bong Go encourages whistleblowers to come out and tell the truth

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said on Tuesday evening, October 8, during his visit to the victims of a fire incident in Bago Bantay, Quezon City, that whistleblowers are welcome to testify in the Senate.

"We encourage all whistleblowers. Magsalita kayo. Kung gusto niyong tulungan ang Pilipinas na magbago, sabihin ninyo ang totoo, 100 percent, walang dagdag, walang kulang," Go said in an ambush interview.

"Alam niyo, 'pag nagsasalita diyan sa Senado, you are under oath, so most likely walang nagsisinungaling diyan. Kita niyo ang mga medyo nagsisinungaling pina-contempt at pinakulong. Once you speak in front of the Blue Ribbon Committee, inaasahan namin na totoo lahat ng sinasabi mo," he added.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, of which Go is a member, is set to resume its investigation on "ninja cops," or police officers who are allegedly involved in the sale of seized illegal drugs, on October 9.

The Senator said that corrupt officers must be removed from the Philippine National Police (PNP). "Para sa akin, ihiwalay nga po ang bulok para hindi po mahawa ang karamihan."

He also expressed his continued support for the PNP. "I respect the PNP, at full support po kami sa PNP. In fact, lahat ng operations nila, kapag duty-connected po, andito po kami para sumuporta sa inyo kapag nagka-kaso po kayo."

During the fire visit, Go distributed financial assistance and grocery packs to 24 families whose houses were razed to the ground by a fire that broke out on Negros Street in Barangay Sto. Cristo on September 28.

He also told the victims that he would provide for the uniforms and school supplies of the children and the fares of those who want to relocate back to their provinces.

The families, comprising 103 individuals, received housing materials assistance from the National Housing Authority (NHA) and additional help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).

Go also joined a "boodle fight" with members of the local tricycle operators and drivers' association.

During the ambush interview, Go also shared that he has lost count of his days in office when asked how he would describe his first 100 days as a senator.

"One hundred days na pala? Hindi ko alam na 100 days na po. Para sa akin, araw-araw po trabaho, araw-araw serbisyo. Kahit po sa panaginip, puro trabaho pa rin. Kaya hindi ko po napapansin na 100 days na kami. Hindi ko na po binibilang. Ang importante po ay makapagserbisyo tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino," he said.

He mentioned that one of the bills that he has filed in the Senate seeks to provide free legal assistance to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and PNP personnel "in line of duty or duty connected."

Go also clarified the speculations on President Rodrigo Duterte's health. "'Yung sinasabi niyo po na lumiliit 'yung mata niya, kaya nga niya binanggit, alam niyo, open po ang Pangulo sa kanyang kalusugan. It has not progressed po. Localized lang po itong myasthenia gravis. It's just limited to his eyes."

The Senator added, "Wala pong dapat ikabahala, at wala pong naging epekto ito sa kalusugan ng ating mahal na Pangulo."