Bong Go

Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Tesoro Go (Tagalog: [ˈgo]; born June 14, 1974) is a Filipino politician who has been serving as senator since 2019. He previously served in President Rodrigo Duterte's Cabinet as the Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and Head of the Presidential Management Staff from June 2016 to October 2018.[3][4] Go has served as the personal aide/special assistant of Rodrigo Duterte since 1998, back when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City.[5][6]

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Tesoro and the surname or paternal family name is Go.
The Honorable

Bong Go
Senator of the Philippines
Assumed office
June 30, 2019
Chair of the Philippine Senate
Health and Sports Committee
Assumed office
July 22, 2019
Special Assistant to
the President of the Philippines
In office
June 30, 2016 – October 15, 2018
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byJulia Abad
Succeeded byJesus Melchor Quitain (OIC)[1]
Personal details
Born
Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go

(1974-06-14) June 14, 1974
Davao City, Philippines
Political partyPDP–Laban
Alma materDe La Salle University
Net worth₱18.4 million[2]
(Dec. 31, 2019)
Basketball career
No. 18 – Muntinlupa Cagers
PositionGuard
LeagueMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
Personal information
Listed height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Career history
2018–2019Muntinlupa Cagers

Early life and education
Bong Go (left) with President Rodrigo Duterte (right) pose for a selfie with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay on December 20, 2018.

Go is the son of the Davao-based businessman Desiderio Go and Marichu Tesoro-Go. Go was born on June 14, 1974 to a Chinese Filipino family.[7][8] He is a grandson of August Tesoro, whose father founded one of the largest printing press in Davao City. Go attended De La Salle University and graduated with a Management degree.[9]

Career

Duterte's special assistant (1998–2019)

Since 1998, Bong Go has served as executive assistant and personal aide for then-Mayor of Davao City Rodrigo Duterte. Being in charge of both personal and official matters, he has called himself as Duterte's all around 'utility man'.[10][11]

During the 2016 election campaign season, Go was often described as the "national photobomber" by the media, for being always in the photos at the side of Duterte in his campaign sorties.[12] He is one of the key people in Duterte's campaign for presidency. On October 15, 2015, Go filed Duterte's certificate of candidacy on Duterte's behalf at the Comelec office in Manila, for a re-election bid for the Davao City mayoralty post.[13]

Then President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on June 2, 2016 announced the appointment of Christopher Go as the Special Assistant to the President and is tasked to provide general supervision to the Presidential Management Staff.[14]

During his time as Special Assistant to the President, his alleged involvement in the Philippine Navy's ₱16 billion Frigate Deal was revealed by online news site Rappler. Pertinent documents that linked Bong Go to the deal, detailing how he had interfered with the process, violating several procurement laws when he endorsed a supplier outside the bidding process were released to the public.[15] Bong Go denied the allegations, declaring that he would resign if ever he was proven guilty and claimed that the media and his critics are endangering national security.[16] Vice Admiral Mercado of the Philippine Navy, who was allegedly sacked for questioning the frigate deal, has cleared Go of any involvement, claiming that Go had never communicated with those who were involved in the deal.[17] Duterte defended Go, saying that "he owns a yacht, therefore he doesn't need to steal in the frigate deal".[18] The Malacañang also made their stand clear that Bong Go did not intervene.[19] A probe by the Senate regarding the deal was made, but did no further clarifications about Go's role on the deal.[20][21]

During his time as Special Assistant to the President, he became known for selfies he posted online, saying he values these images as part of his "personal collection".[22][23]

Senator (2019–present)
Senator Bong Go (right) with President Rodrigo Duterte (center) and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as they prepare for the Ceremonies of the Accession to the Throne of Emperor Naruhito while at a hotel in Tokyo on October 22, 2019.
Bong Go witnesses President Rodrigo Duterte sign into law the establishment of the National Academy of Sports.

Bong Go made a formal bid for the Senate on October 15, 2018 when he filed his certificate of candidacy accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte and other members of the president's Cabinet. Go's platform for his Senate bid includes pledges to build healthcare and social service facilities dubbed as "Malasakit Centers" across the Philippines as well as the repeal of the Juvenile Justice law which sets the minimum age of criminal liability at 15 years old. Doubts about his capability to conduct a nationwide campaign was countered by President Duterte, noting that the Tesoros, Go's mother's family, own one of the largest printing firms in Mindanao.[24]

Even before his formal filing of candidacy, Go has already been subject of allegations of premature campaigning.[25][26][27][28] In relief operations after a fire in Manila, relief goods with "Ready Set Go" branding were distributed alongside government relief goods provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Go has repeatedly denied that he was personally involved in the production or distribution of any merchandise, once citing his supporters as producing them without his consent[29] and on one occasion said that it was done under the President's directive.[30] He also urged his supporters to stopped "politicizing" their cause by using his name and likeness. Nonetheless, calls for tarpaulins bearing his image to be removed had made the rounds in social media.[31]

After the election, Go garnered roughly 21 million votes and was sworn into office after placing 3rd overall, he officially took his seat in the Senate beginning his term on June 30, 2019. On his first months in office, Go had filed several bills including creating a Department of Disaster Resilience,[32] the postponement of the 2020 Sangguniang Kabataan elections on the barangay level,[33] and a bill co-authored with fellow Senator Manny Pacquiao pushing a death penalty back for heinous crimes such as illegal drugs, plunder, rape, and murder.[34]

In 2019, Go authored the Malasakit Center Act, which meant to serve as one-stop for easy access to medical and financial assistance needed to receive health care services.[35] Amid the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, Go proposed the Balik Probinsya program, which meant to decongest the overcrowded Metro Manila once the coronavirus pandemic is put under control.[36] The program was institutionalized by President Duterte on May 6 via Executive Order No. 114.[37][38]

On July 17, 2020, he was involved in a controversy when a college student was filed a subpoena order by the NBI after Bong Go complained of the student sharing a post on social media possibly containing fake news which were against the Senator.[39][40] The Senator faced backlash on social media, with a new trend on Twitter "#TanginaMoBongGo" started by irate netizens for what they considered as the senator's heavy-handed response to online criticism.[41]

On October 25, 2020, Go recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte for the creation of an exhanced inter-agency task force that will employ a whole-of-government approach in addressing systemic corruption in the government.[42][43] Subsequently, on October 27, 2020, Duterte ordered the Department of Justice and a newly created mega-task-force to investigate allegations of corruption in the entire government.[44][45]

Personal life

Beyond politics, Bong Go is also an avid basketball fan and has participated in amateur leagues and guested in prominent local basketball events in the country. He usually spectates in the Philippine Basketball Association and joined in the three-point shoot out competition of the 2018 PBA All-Star Week. Along with Senators Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva, Go was featured in a three-point shoot out exhibition during the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup which was hosted in Bocaue, Bulacan.[46]

Go also joined the roster of the Muntinlupa Cagers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. This move was objected by his critics as using the MPBL as a platform for his senatorial bid in 2019. Go defended the move saying he just wanted to promote basketball in the country and acknowledged his old age and the superior height of his opponents.[47][48] He rarely played appearing in only one season with the team, to focus on his Senate job and on assisting Duterte as his political advisor.[49]

References
  1. "Duterte appoints Jesus Melchor Quitain as new special assistant". ABS-CBN News. November 12, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  2. "TABLE SUMMARY: 2019 STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND NET WORTH As of December 31, 2019" (PDF). senate.gov.ph. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  3. "Bong Go to head Palace management staff, Andanar to head PCOO". GMA News. June 2, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  4. "Duterte appoints closest aide, broadcaster to Palace posts". The Philippine Star. June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  5. "BT: Bong Go, executive assistant ni Duterte mula pa 1998 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  6. "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  7. "Duterte heaps praises on SAP Bong Go". Manila Standard. April 12, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  8. "Fact check: Sergio Osmeña was actually the first Chinese Filipino senator". The Philippine Star. September 26, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  9. "A photobomber in Duterte campaign". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 8, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  10. "BT: Bong Go, executive assistant ni Duterte mula pa 1998 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  11. "The President's Men and Women: Bong Go: The man behind the President". The Philippine Star. August 1, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  12. "Who's who in Duterte's inner circle". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 9, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  13. Rodrigo Duterte to seek re-election as Davao City mayor – CNN Philippines.
  14. Diola, Camille (June 3, 2016). "Duterte appoints closest aide, broadcaster to Palace posts". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  15. "TIMELINE | What we need to know: Bong Go and the P16-B Navy frigate deal". Interaksyon. February 19, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  16. "Bong Go: Frigate deal controversy endangering national security". CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  17. "Sacked Navy official speaks up: 'I am still hurting'". CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  18. "Duterte: Bong Go a 'yacht-owner,' need not steal in frigate deal". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  19. News, Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN. "Palace: 'Very clear' Bong Go did not intervene in frigate deal". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  20. "Senate probe exposes root of frigates deal mess". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  21. "5 nagging questions after the Senate frigates probe". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  22. Nawal, Allan. "Bong Go: From national photobomber to king of selfies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  23. "Even as senator, Bong Go to still 'assist' Duterte". Rappler. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  24. Panti, Llanesca (October 15, 2018). "Bong Go files COC, seeks Senate seat in 2019 polls". GMA News. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  25. "Nothing illegal with premature campaigning — Supreme Court". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  26. "Comelec warns vs 'premature campaigning'". Manila Standard. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  27. Matriano, Kate. "WATCH: Ex Battalion sings campaign jingle for Bong Go". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  28. "Do Bong Go's donations, billboards violate government ethics code?". Rappler. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  29. News, Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN. "'Bong Go' phones as gov't souvenirs? Duterte aide explains". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  30. "Bong Go tarps, relief goods, cellphones: President's aide has a disclaimer". Interaksyon. July 13, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  31. Reysio-Cruz, Matthew. "Netizens want Go's posters gone". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  32. "Bong Go files bill creating Department of Disaster Resilience". www.senate.gov.ph.
  33. "Marcos, Go files bills seeking postponement of 2020 barangay SK election". Manila Bulletin.
  34. Galvez, Daphne (July 2, 2019). "Go files bill restoring death penalty for heinous crimes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  35. Parrocha, Azer (December 3, 2019). "PRRD signs Malasakit Center law". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  36. Gita-Carlos, Ruth Abbey (April 25, 2020). "Duterte backs proposed 'Balik Probinsya' program". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  37. "Executive Order No. 114, s. 2020" (PDF). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  38. Aguilar, Krissy (May 6, 2020). "Duterte institutionalizes Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  39. "Bong Go reminds public: Use your freedom of expression responsibly; emphasizes difference of being critical from deliberately spreading fake news". Philippine Information Agency. July 17, 2020. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  40. CNN Philippines Staff (July 17, 2020). "NBI cites rise in cyber-libel raps amid Bong Go complaint". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  41. Westfall, Sammy (July 17, 2020). "Duterte's Sidekick Is Having His Online Critics Investigated Amid Fears of Gov't Abuse of Cybercrime Laws". Vice News. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  42. "Go eyes enhanced inter-agency task force vs. systemic corruption". Philippine News Agency. October 25, 2020. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  43. "Bong Go proposes expanded task force vs systemic corruption". Mindanao Daily Mirror. October 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  44. Parrocha, Azer (October 27, 2020). "Duterte wants government-wide corruption probe". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  45. "Palace affirms PRRD's creation of mega task force to investigate corruption in government". Presidential Communications Operations Office. October 27, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  46. "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  47. The Wires (June 6, 2018). "SAP Bong Go to play for Muntinlupa in MPBL opener against Mandaluyong". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  48. "Bong Go defends move to play in MPBL, says it's all for the promotion of basketball in the country". Hoops PH. June 10, 2018. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  49. "Kuya Bonggo". Kuya Bonggo. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
Political offices
Preceded by
Julia Abad		 The Head of the Presidential Management Staff
2016–2018		 Succeeded by
Jesus Melchor Quitain
(OIC)
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