BONG GO

It was a few days after Christmas, and while most people were still on holiday mode, former Special Assistant to the Presidential (SAP) Bong Go was busy with the deliberations for the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), where he served as chairman of the board.

The awarding was to happen that night, and his team was coordinating with us on when we can do the interview and photo shoot that we requested way back in August. After our team, Go’s supporters from Bicol were also to do a shoot with him. Later, we were told that Go might need to report to Malacañang after his MMFF schedule so we held our breaths for the possibility that we may have to “pack up” early.

​ We understood the situation, of course. Go had just announced his senatorial candidacy, and his schedule had become packed with commitments in preparation for his official foray in politics. So everyone heaved a sigh of relief when Go was ushered inside the suite.

He graciously shook hands with the team and apologized for being late. He was cordial to everyone—none of the expected aloofness or airs of someone close to the most powerful leader in the country.

He was a bit shy to be given special attention during the photo shoot and opted to wear some of his own clothes. He also refused to remove the rubber bands on his wrist, which for some reason, gives him a sense of self—we were told that Go uses these to bind documents, something he probably needs to confront on a regular basis.

His generosity in granting selfie requests—which people find endearing and relatable about him—might earn him the votes in the upcoming elections, but there is definitely more to Go than being the selfie master. In this interview, we got to know him more and his reason for running as senator.

RIGHT HAND MAN

Go is the gateway to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. How he ended up being the president’s closest and most trusted aide has a long history that can be traced as far back as Go’s grandfather, August Tesoro, whose family founded Davao City’s largest printing press. “Actually, PRRD is a family friend of my lolo. Ninong niya ang lolo ko (my grandfather was PRRD’s godfather),” he told LEAGUE. “Kung gaano kalayo ang age gap namin ni PRRD, ganoon din sila ng lolo ko. (My age gap with PRRD is like PRRD’s age gap with my grandfather.)

Go’s family went back to Davao when Duterte took on the post as OIC vice mayor, and eventually won as mayor in the succeeding elections.

The young Go, meanwhile, stayed in Manila to continue his education. He eventually graduated with a Management degree from the De La Salle University. When Go moved back to Davao, he would often bump into Duterte in casual events, since the latter’s aide, Jimboy Halili, was Go’s friend. In an unexpected turn of events, Halili died in the middle of a basketball game. “Parang napilayan si Boss, kasi sanay siya sa aide niya (He felt crippled, in a way, because he’s used to having his aide),” remembered Go. “When we were at the funeral, he asked who can assist him with his lodging and transportation in Manila.

I volunteered since I knew where it was located.” Since then, he would do volunteer work for Duterte, who was then a Congressman—take care of his professional and personal needs.

And that was how their close ties started to develop. In 2000, he was among the handful of supporters, who helped Duterte reclaim his mayorship against the incumbent Mayor Benjamin de Guzman. “`Yun ang time na down siya, ako ang nag-asikaso ng lahat (He was at his low point then, I took care of everything),” said Go.

When Duterte won in the 2001 elections, he volunteered to work with him, even without salary. Go has such high regard for Duterte because of what he did for Davao City— Duterte restored its peace and order. Go also admires Duterte’s compassion to help. In a way, Go sees himself in his boss. “Ganoon din kasi ako, eh. For example, kapag mayroong humingi ng tulong, ibibigay ko ang nasa bulsa ko, bahala na bukas kung may darating na pera. I believe in good karma kasi. Ganoon din si Boss. He would letter: ‘Ikaw na lang ang mag-decide for me. `Di ko isinali ang pangalan ko.’ Sabi nya, ‘Isali mo, tumakbo ka!’ Sumunod lang ako. I left it to the wisdom of the president. Kung ano ang makakabuti. (Be the one to decide for me. I did not include my name [in the list of senatorial candidates.] He said, ‘Include your name; I urge you to run [for senator].’” Go, as well we know, obliged like a dutiful soldier.

THE RELUCTANT POLITICIAN

He may be fascinated by politics, but Go admitted that he has no political ambitions. He added that the president’s proclamation that he will run for senator started out as a joke. “Pinatawag ako sa isang Senate hearing, kung saan pinagbibintangan ako sa isang bagay na wala naman akong kinalaman. (I was summoned for questioning at the Senate for something I know nothing about),” Go recalled. Notorious for his shocking pronouncements, PRRD declared in one of his speeches, “Itong si Bong pinatawag [sa Senate hearing]… that will be your ticket to the Senate!’” Go did not take the president’s statement seriously, until PRRD spoke to him three days before the Senate hearing. He remembered PRRD reiterating, “‘Kung ano ang maging performance mo sa Senate on Monday, that will be your ticket to the Senate.’ (Your performance at the Senate hearing on Monday will be your ticket to becoming a senator).

After the Monday hearing, he congratulated me, ‘You did a sterling performance! Believe me, you will win as a senator.’” He tried to take his mind off it, and told himself that he will wait for a sign. “So before I made the decision, I even wrote PRRD a letter: ‘Ikaw na lang ang mag-decide for me. `Di ko isinali ang pangalan ko.’ Sabi nya, ‘Isali mo, tumakbo ka!’ Sumunod lang ako. I left it to the wisdom of the president. Kung ano ang makakabuti. (Be the one to decide for me. I did not include my name [in the list of senatorial candidates.] He said, ‘Include your name; I urge you to run [for senator].’” Go, as well we know, obliged like a dutiful soldier.

NOT A NEOPHYTE While Go is considered a newbie in politics, he is not bereft of experience. “When it comes to knowledge and experience in politics, I eat it every day… for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” While Go is considered a newbie in politics, he is not bereft of experience. “When it comes to knowledge and experience in politics I eat it everyday... for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Mahilig din sa politics ang lolo ko, kaya sila naging magbarkada. (My grandfather was fond of politics, so they became good friends.)