The province of Quezon has vowed to go “all-out” for former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go as well as his fellow candidates endorsed by the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) regional party led by Davao City Mayor Sara Dutete.
Go thanked the leaders of the province and its residents after seeing the overwhelming display of support for him and other candidates of the HNP during their kickoff rally at the Quezon Convention Center.
“Maraming salamat po sa mga kapatid ko dito sa Quezon,” said the former presidential aide, who is gunning for a Senate seat in the May midterm polls.
Last February 10, the provincial governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (CALABARZON) issued a manifesto expressing their support for Go’s senatorial bid and declaring him an adopted son of the region.
Welcoming Go and the HNP candidates, House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez rallied local leaders and the residents of the province to support Go, including the other candidates being endorsed by the HNP.
“Straight ang laban sa Quezon… ang tagumpay nila (HNP candidates) ay tagumpay ninyo, tagumpay ng lalawigan ng Quezon,” Suarez said.
Go told the attendees that they can count on him to be their link to President Rodrigo Duterte, as he also vowed all-out support for the programs of the Duterte administration.
“You can count on me to be your link to President Duterte.”
“Asahan nyo po, patuloy ninyo akong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kundi kabutihan ng Pilipino dahil mahal namin kayo,” he said.
Among others, Go said he believes in President Duterte’s fight against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption. He noted for example that people now feel safer in the streets and in their homes.
“Kung masaya kayo (sa nakaraang tatlong taon) ipagpapatuloy ko po ang mga pagbabagong nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte. Hindi po ako nangangako sa inyo, hintayin nyo na lang po ang resulta ng serbisyong tatak Duterte,” he said.
Go also said he wants to improve the delivery of health services in the country, adding that part of this advocacy is the establishment of Malasakit Center.
“I want to improve the delivery of health services in the country.”
A program of the Duterte administration based on his idea, the Malasakit Center makes it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room all concerned agencies such as the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philhealth.
“Meron na tayong Malasakit Center dito sa Quezon, binuksan po ni Gov. Suarez recently lang po,” Go said, adding he wants a law to enable the establishment of Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban centers of the country in order to continue the program even after the President ends his term of office.
“Yan po ang gusto ko, palawakin, paramihin natin ang Malasakit Center sa bansa. Pera nyo po ito ibinabalik lang sa inyo,” he stressed. There are already 29 Malasakit Centers operating in different areas of the country.
Go said his legislative priorities also include programs on agriculture, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers, barangay welfare, and improved benefits for senior citizens.
In his message, Go explained to the audience his legislative agenda, including the enactment of a Magna Carta for the benefit of barangay officials.
He also vowed to continue helping members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs), many of whom he had met during his visits to various areas to assist fire victims.
“Asahan nyo rin po ang kapakanan ng TODA isusulong ko rin pagdating ng panahon,” Go said.
During the HNP rally, Quezon’s political leaders signed a formal manifesto of support for Go and the rest of the HNP senatorial ticket. The manifesto was presented to Mayor Duterte by Gov. David “Jayjay” Suarez, who also gave her a symbolic key to the city of Lucena.
The manifesto was signed by Gov. Suarez of the Nacionalista Party, the House Minority Leader who belong to Lakas-CMD; 4th District Rep. Angelina Tan of the Nationalist People’s Coalition; and 1st District Rep. Anna Enverga, also of the NPC.
“Sa abot ng aming kakayahan, itataguyod namin at ibabandera ang mga kandidato sa ilalim ng partido ng Hugpong ng Pagbabago kaalinsabay ang maigting na kampanya para sa tapat, malinis at payapang halalan 2019,” the manifesto read.
The top Quezon leaders said they believe in the objective of HNP to provide effective assistance to President Rodrigo Duterte in his quest for a peaceful and progressive Philippines.
“Upang mas higit na magkaroon ng katuparan ang mga pagpabagong sinimulan ng administrasyong Duterte, napapanahon at nararapat lamang na ang maihalal ng sambayanang Pilipino na mga senador ay tunay na nagpapakita ng tapang, malasakit at pagmamamahal at pagkalinga sa mga mamamayan lalo at higit ay yung nagsusulong ng kapakanan ng maralitang mga Pilipino,” the manifesto added.
