Duterte welcomes pro and anti SONA rallies: SAP Bong Go

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chats with guests upon his arrival at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City where he joined the celebration of Eid’l Fitr on June 16, 2018. Joining the President is Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Saturday the government welcomes the plan of both supporters and critics of the administration to hold rallies on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 23.

“Karapatan nila iyon (That’s their right),” he said.

However, Go said unlike last year, it is not likely for the President to go out and talk to anti-administration protesters this time.

“Lumapit ang Pangulo sa kanila (noon). Pero alam mo, hinahanapan ninyo ng mali ang ating Pangulo. Sinabi ko nga, kung sa tingin ninyo, anti, dun kayo. Kung naniniwala kayo sa ating Pangulo, sa kanyang sinseridad, ipakita ninyo rin po ang inyong suporta (The President reached out to them then. But they instead continued to find fault with our President. As I said, if you are with the anti [administration], go with them. But if you believe in our President, in his sincerity, please show your support too),” Go said.

The top presidential aide told reporters that President Duterte already read his prepared speech and that the SONA will last for no more than 35 minutes. There may be adlibs to emphasize his thoughts on various issues though.

“I am sure, ang laman po nito ay kung ano po ang magiging plano niya sa susunod na 365 days at ang kanyang political will na gawin ang kanyang mga ipinangako sa taumbayan (I’m sure the content is about his plans for the next 365 days and his political will to do what he has promised to the people),” Go said after his speaking engagement at the “People’s Day sa Kampo Krame” event of the Philippine National Police on Saturday morning.

Likewise, he also confirmed that all the President’s children will attend his SONA on Monday.

Meanwhile, in a message during the “People’s Day sa Kampo Krame,” Go lauded the Philippine National Police, its auxiliary units and the volunteers from the private sector for their contribution in the government’s fight against illegal drugs.

Go stressed the importance of public participation and the spirit of volunteerism in the fight against illegal drugs, noting that it would be difficult for the police to conduct this campaign alone.

“Inimbitahan po ako ni Chief PNP (Oscar Albayalde) at ng PCRG (Police Community Relations Group) dito at natutuwa ako na may ganito ngayon. Ginagawa din namin ito noon sa Davao. Hindi po kaya ng kapulisan kung sila-sila lang, kaya nandyan ang volunteers, sila po ang nakakaamoy sa baba. Malaking tulong sila sa paglaban sa droga, kriminalidad. Ito ang mga taong may malasakit sa kapwa and we welcome them (I was invited by the Chief PNP and the PCRG [Police Community Relations Group] here and I’m happy that we have this. We did the same in Davao before. The police cannot do it alone. That’s why there are volunteers, they are the ones who know what happens in the ground. They contribute a lot in the fight against drugs and criminality. These are the people who care about others and we welcome them),” he ended.

Earlier, Go clarified that it was his duty to extend the necessary assistance President Duterte or “Tatay Digong” has promised for the needy, particularly the victims of calamities.

In doing what the President wants done, Go also became known as “Kuya Bong.”