In commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan, Senator Bong Go gave recognition to all Filipino frontliners and emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring their sacrifices for the country, saying, “Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat na mga frontliners. Hindi po namin malilimutan ang inyong mga sakripisyo at dedikasyon sa panahon ng pandemyang ito. Kayo po ang mga bayani natin sa araw-araw.”
“The Araw ng Kagitingan honors our Filipino soldiers who bravely fought during the World War II against the Japanese forces. Nitong panahon ng krisis, iba naman ang ating kalaban. Hindi lamang ang mga sundalo at pulis ang lumalaban, kundi ang mga doktor, nurse, at iba pang mga frontliners na patuloy na nagseserbisyo at nagsasakripisyo para masalba ang buhay ng ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go added.
Araw ng Kagitingan is a national holiday in the Philippines, commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of Filipino soldiers during World War II. It is observed every April 9, the anniversary of the Fall of Bataan during the war.
For this year, the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan has been moved to April 10, in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s Proclamation No. 90 issued in November 2022. This is to promote “holiday economics” which was first implemented by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The legislator likewise continues to prioritize the welfare of Filipino frontliners here and abroad as he pushes for several measures that would benefit them.
The lawmaker filed Senate Bill No. 422 which, if passed into law, will entitle any officer or enlisted personnel of the AFP and Philippine National Police, who is facing before the prosecutor’s office, court or any competent body, any charge arising from an incident related to the performance of official duty to free legal assistance.
“Kayo po ay kailangan at dapat bigyan ng sapat na proteksyon at benepisyo dahil sa inyong serbisyo sa bayan.”
“Patuloy po naming ipaglalaban ang inyong mga karapatan at kapakanan. Kayo po ay kailangan at dapat bigyan ng sapat na proteksyon at benepisyo dahil sa inyong serbisyo sa bayan,” the senator stressed.
Meanwhile, he reiterated his stance on the proposed reforms to the pension system for the country’s military and other uniformed personnel, stressing that should there be changes, they should not adversely impact the benefits given to active and retired members of the AFP and PNP, as well as other uniformed personnel.
To avoid financial burden, it was earlier reported that the Marcos Administration is assessing the need to change the pension system.
“Bilang isang senador, at vice-chair ng Defense Committee sa Senado, I want to give our heroes what is due to them, but we also have to ensure the fiscal stability of our nation,” Go emphasized.
“Pero ‘wag po natin itong gawin at the expense of the military.”
“Kahit isang boto lang po ako, palagi kong ipaglalaban kung ano ang tama at makakabuti po sa military at sa ating mga uniformed personnel. Naiintindihan ko po ang concern ng ating mga finance manager, pero ‘wag po natin itong gawin at the expense of the military,” he continued.
It can be recalled that Go supported efforts to double the salary of military and other uniformed personnel during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s term, citing, “Hindi ako papayag na masayang ang pinaghirapang dagdag-sahod na iyon kung may magnanais na bawasan naman ang pension nila.”
