* Praises Marcoleta strong showing
Senatorial election frontrunner Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people for their overwhelming support in the 2025 midterm elections, particularly those who supported the DuterTEN slate.
In recent interviews, Senator Go reflected on his reelection, called for unity, and welcomed new allies into the Senate, including Senator-elect Rodante Marcoleta.
“Let’s buckle down to work. Tapos na ang eleksyon. Mas kailangan po ng mga kababayan natin na magtrabaho na po ang kanilang mga lider,” said Senator Go. “Trabaho kaagad pagkatapos ng eleksyon para walang masasayang na oras.”
He emphasized that his number one ranking in the senatorial race—garnering over 26 million votes so far—was the result of consistent and unhampered public service.
“Nagtrabaho lang po ako,” he stated, noting that the midterm elections served as a form of accountability for reelectionists. “Napakahalaga po ito sa akin… ito po ‘yung paghuhusga sa amin kung nagtrabaho ba kami for the past six years.”
Senator Go then offered an observation on voter behavior, citing what he described as a quiet but decisive segment of the electorate—around 20% by his estimate—who preferred public service free from political bickering.
“Parang ayaw na nila ng gulo sa politika. Gusto nila na maayos ang lahat para makapagtrabaho. Ito ‘yung taumbayan po ang nagsa-suffer kapag magulo ‘yung politika.”
This call for stability and productivity carried into his remarks on the new Senate composition. Senator Go expressed satisfaction over the reelection of fellow Duterte allies and warmly welcomed Marcoleta’s long-awaited entry to the chamber.
“I’m so happy na nanalo po si Senator Rodante Marcoleta… he is long overdue po sa Senado. Napakagaling, napakatalino, at lumalaban,” he said, recalling their past work together in the Commission on Appointments.
“(Walang) nakakalusot sa kanya. Marami siyang katanungan na hindi siya makuntento… makikita mo na talagang palaban itong si Senator Dante.”
Asked whether the so-called “Duterte magic” influenced his victory, Senator Go openly acknowledged the former president’s role. “Of course. Malaking bagay po ang endorso ni dating Pangulong Duterte… Duterte magic plus serbisyo. ‘Yun po ang naging resulta.”
He likewise congratulated Duterte, who secured a landslide mayoral win in Davao City despite being detained at The Hague.
“Congratulations kay former President, now mayor again… Gusto na po niyang mabuhay nang tahimik at maglingkod na lang po sa kanyang bayan,” said Senator Go, adding that access to Duterte remains limited to his family and legal team.
Turning to election-related concerns, Senator Go raised the need to address technical issues reported during the voting process. “May mga reports… ito ‘yung shinade niya, iba ‘yung lumabas… lalo na po ‘yung mga matatanda na nahihirapang mag-travel. Dapat po’y maging maayos ‘yang mga isyung ‘yan para hindi na po maulit.”
He urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive review to avoid recurrence in future elections.
Senator Go stood firm in his commitment to serve. “Gusto n’yo man po ako o hindi, magseserbisyo po ako sa aking kapwa Pilipino. Mahal ko po ang aking kapwa Pilipino… kung anuman po ang aking pagkukulang ay susubukan ko (punan at) magsisipag pa po ako lalo.”
As for the Senate’s internal dynamics moving forward, Senator Go said it was too early to make predictions, but he reiterated his legislative priorities.
“Kung ano ‘yung makakabuti… I am for unity. Gusto ko trabaho na tayo para ang mga kababayan naman po natin ang dapat nating pagserbisyuhan. Ayaw ko po ng bangayan sa politika.”
He concluded both interviews with a renewed sense of purpose and a message of gratitude to the public. “Ang bisyo ko ay magserbisyo,” said Senator Go.
“Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. Naniniwala po ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos.”
