Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go secured the top spot in terms of both public approval and trust ratings based on the Publicus Asia, Inc.’s Pahayag 2025 Second Quarter survey, conducted from June 27 to 30.
With an approval rating of 36 percent, Go capped a steady upward trajectory over the past year — 18 percent in the third quarter of 2024 where he ranked fourth, 21 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 tying for third, 31 percent in the first quarter of 2025 topping the survey, and 36 percent in the second quarter of 2025 where he again secured the top spot.
His trust rating stood at 35 percent in the latest survey, also ranking first.
“As the 19th Congress draws to a close, Bong Go held on to the top spot of most approved senator… Bong Go’s popularity soared with the onset of campaign for May 2025 midterm elections,” the report noted.
This outcome reflects public satisfaction on Go’s legislative efforts while fulfilling his representation duties and constituency services to bring government closer to the people. He also had a perfect attendance in all Senate sessions.
For his part, humbly expresses his gratitude for the trust and support given to him by the public: “Salamat sa tiwala na patuloy na ibinibigay ninyo sa isang Batangueño, Bisaya at Mindanaoan na tulad ko. Hindi ko po sasayangin ang pagkakataong ibinigay ninyo sa akin na makapagserbisyo sa kapwa.”
“Magtatrabaho po ako para sa ikabubuti ng ating bayan at ipaglalaban ko ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipino lalo na ang mga mahihirap,” he added.
Far from being confined to legislative duties alone, Go’s record during the 19th Congress combined prolific lawmaking with sustained grassroots engagement. He authored 19 laws; principally sponsored 94 laws, including 92 measures establishing or upgrading public hospitals nationwide; and co-authored and co-sponsored 191 other laws.
Among his most significant legislative achievements is Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized one-stop shops to help impoverished Filipinos reduce their hospital bills. Today, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country and have assisted more than 17 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
In education and sports, Go authored and co-sponsored RA 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac — a facility offering a dual-track curriculum enabling student-athletes to pursue both athletic training and academic education.
His work for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remains one of his most notable legacies. Go was one of the authors and a co-sponsor of RA 11641, which created the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), streamlining government services and protections for millions of OFWs.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go has presided over numerous hearings, focusing on the state of the country’s health sector. Through these hearings, he has pushed for meaningful reforms, including improvements in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) designed to enhance services, strengthen governance, and ensure better coverage for members.
Despite these accomplishments, Go repeatedly emphasizes that his role is not limited to legislative work. “Hindi lang naman legislation ang trabaho ng isang senador. Kasama din sa mandato namin ang oversight para masigurong tama ang ginagawa ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno, representation para makinig sa inyong mga hinaing at maging boses ninyo sa Senado, at constituency,” he declared during his proclamation speech on May 17.
Tying his future legislative priorities to his consistent pro-poor orientation, Go underscored that health, education, sports, livelihood, food security, and peace and order would remain at the forefront of his agenda for his second term, among others.
“We must work together to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor and indigent patients. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he stated.
He also highlighted his vision for the youth: “With the help of my fellow legislators, we will also continue to help our future generations, the youth whose voices we heard last elections, and who hold the promise of a brighter future for our country.”
Meanwhile, food security and job creation are also priorities: “Together, we must pursue and strengthen food security to ensure that there is food on the table of our people. Importante po sa akin ang laman ng tiyan ng mga kababayan natin, lalo na po ‘yung mahihirap,” he added.
He stressed public safety as an enduring concern: “We must continue our fight against criminality, illegal drugs, and corruption for a more peaceful and orderly society. Mahalaga pong nakakalakad sa gabi ang mga Pilipino nang walang takot.”
As Go gears up for his new term, he has already filed 20 priority measures in the 20th Congress that reflect his focus on healthcare, education, sports, senior citizens, OFWs, and poverty alleviation.
Among these are proposals to institutionalize an Advanced Nursing Education Program, expand benefits for para-athletes, facilitate delayed birth registrations, institutionalize the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients Program, provide monthly allowances for teachers and non-teaching personnel, establish the Philippine Senior Citizens Hospital and Research Institute, pass a Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers, institutionalize the Philippine National Games, establish the OFW Hospital under the DMW, and create a Rental Housing Subsidy Program for informal settlers and displaced families.
These build upon ten other priority bills Go filed at the start of the 20th Congress, which seek to expand the Tertiary Education Subsidy, mandate a Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ID Health Card, regionalize the National Academy of Sports, modernize the Medical Technology Law, create a Department of Disaster Resilience, provide assistance to indigent jobseekers, implement an across-the-board wage hike, establish Mental Health Offices in State Universities and Colleges, institutionalize the Rural Employment Assistance Program (TUPAD), and pass a Magna Carta for Barangays.
“Sipag, malasakit at more serbisyo ang maiaalay ko sa inyo. Ako po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos. Maraming salamat sa inyong suporta! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino!” he declared.
