Duterte discussing with Bong Go 2019 senatorial bid

March 12, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte is discussing with his aide Christopher "Bong" Go the possibility of the latter running in the Senate in the 2019 midterm elections, Malacanang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in a press briefing, said it was Duterte who broached the idea of Go running for senator.

"And it's something that they are discussing between the two of them," he said.

Go earlier said he was not interested to run for the Senate.

But with the prodding of Duterte and some Cabinet officials, such as Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol, Go's recent replies whenever he was asked about his senatorial plan seemed to have changed.

He has said whatever Duterte wishes him to do, he would follow.

"He (Go) has said that personally he would not run, but if the President asks him to, he will," said Roque, who is said to be running for the Senate also.

Roque has been conducting press briefings in different provinces since he assumed the post as spokesman in November last year. Celerina Monte/DMS