MANILA, Philippines – Mariing itinanggi ni Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go ang mga paratang laban sa kanya na nakasaad sa redacted na Document Containing the Charges na inilabas ng Office of the Prosecutor ng International Criminal Court (ICC) noong Pebrero 13, kung saan pinangalanan siya bilang umano’y co-perpetrator.
Iginiit ng senador na siya at ang kanyang mentor na si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay laging inuuna ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong kanilang pinagsilbihan.
Nilinaw din niya na ang mga akusasyon ay walang basehan at lampas pa umano sa tunay na saklaw ng kanyang trabaho noon sa pamahalaan.
“I dispute these allegations, which are entirely unfounded, one-sided, unfair, and bear no relation to the reality of my roles and responsibilities during my service as Special Assistant to the President from June 2016 to October 2018, as well as Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Davao City from 1998 to 2016,” aniya.
Ayon kay Go, ang mga tungkuling ibinigay sa kanya noon ay administratibo at clerical lamang at tumutulong sa personal na mga usapin ni Duterte, at walang kinalaman sa mga operasyong pulis o police matters.
“Let me be clear, at no time did I have any involvement in, knowledge of, or authority over these allegations. It is also inaccurate to claim that I was Chief of the Presidential Management Staff then, since at no point in time did that responsibility fall under mine,” giit ng senador.
Dagdag pa niya, ang kanyang mga naging hakbang sa serbisyo publiko ay ginabayan ng pagsunod sa batas at moral na pananagutan na itinuro umano sa kanya ni Duterte.
“My countrymen know that I only did my job in accordance with the laws of man and the laws of God in order to help my fellow Filipinos, especially the poor who have no one else to turn to but the government,” saad niya.
Sinabi rin niya na habang siya ay naglilingkod kasama si Duterte—mula noong alkalde pa ito hanggang sa maging Special Assistant to the President siya at kalaunan ay maging senador—hindi siya nakatanggap ng anumang ilegal na utos.
“As a companion of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD) in public service, from when he was still mayor until I became Special Assistant to the President before being elected Senator, he never gave me any illegal order. Nor would I follow any illegal order from anyone,” dagdag niya.
“The only aim of former President Duterte was to cleanse our country and fight those who spread terror, especially when it comes to drugs. This was to protect our children,” ani Go.
Binigyang-diin din ni Go na hindi siya madidistract ng mga paratang sa pagtupad ng kanyang mandato bilang mambabatas.
“Throughout my career, I have upheld the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and dedication to the welfare of our people. I will not allow these baseless accusations to distract me from my responsibilities as a duly elected Senator of the Republic. My focus remains steadfastly on serving the Filipino people, particularly the poor and vulnerable,” saad pa niya.
Ayon sa senador, magpapatuloy siya sa serbisyo publiko nang may malasakit at sinseridad, lalo na sa pagsusulong ng mga programang para sa mahihirap at mahihinang sektor.
“I will continue to do my job and serve faithfully and with compassion because I believe that service to the people is service to God,” aniya. RNT/MND
