Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday expressed his full support for the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), commending Vice President Sara Duterte’s programs and contrasting them with what he described as flood control projects that have become a “gatasan” for corrupt individuals.
As Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go backed the committee’s earlier approval of the OVP’s proposed budget.
“Tiwala po ako sa ating Vice President at sigurado po ako na nagagamit nang tama ang pondo ng bayan,” Go declared during the Senate’s budget deliberations on September 29.
Drawing from his long experience working with former President Rodrigo Duterte and the Duterte family, Go underscored his confidence in VP Duterte’s leadership and fiscal discipline.
“Sa totoo lamang po, matagal po akong nagtrabaho kay former President Duterte at naabutan ko po noong siya’y naging Bise Alkalde ng Davao, (at Mayor) si Vice President Sara. Kung istrikto po si dating Mayor at Pangulong Duterte sa gobyerno, mas istrikto po si VP Sara. Alam ko pong magagamit talaga ang pondo para sa pantulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he recalled.
Go took a swipe at wasteful infrastructure spending, specifically questionable flood control projects, implying that such funds would be better used for social assistance.
“Kaysa naman po napupunta lang sa flood control na gatasan ng iilang mapagsamantala,” he said, lamenting the billions lost to anomalous or “ghost” projects, while the OVP’s budget has been reduced despite its tangible impact on vulnerable sectors.
Highlighting OVP’s Pro-People Programs
The senator detailed several OVP programs that, he said, provide direct benefits to Filipinos, urging fellow lawmakers to consider increasing its funding to sustain such initiatives.
“Sa mga nakaraang taon, nagkaroon ang OVP ng mga programang nagbibigay ng tunay na benepisyo sa ating mamamayan — from medical assistance, to relief operations, educational support, pangkabuhayan programs, at libreng sakay,” Go noted.
He cited the OVP’s Medical and Burial Assistance Program, which benefited over 187,000 individuals before its funding was cut. In 2024 alone, the OVP extended aid to more than 144,000 Filipinos in need.
He also highlighted the Magnegosyo ‘Ta Day program, which offers entrepreneurial training and livelihood support to marginalized communities, as well as the OVP’s disaster response efforts, which have helped more than 200,000 individuals affected by calamities.
“Nakikita ko rin po ito dahil ako mismo umiikot sa mga tinatamaan ng bagyo,” he shared, referencing his own relief missions across the country.
Go also praised the Libreng Sakay program, which has served over a million commuters in Metro Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao.
“Ito po yung nabanggit ko kanina na atin pong sinusuportahan,” he added, noting that he has also contributed to the program “in my own small way.”
Personal Conviction Behind Support
Go emphasized that his support for the Vice President is not merely political but grounded in personal experience as a Davaoeño and long-time Duterte aide.
“As a proud Dabawenyo, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable work of the Vice President when she was still Mayor of Davao City,” he said. “And now as Vice President, I sincerely believe her initiatives have been instrumental in uplifting lives and promoting the welfare of all Filipinos.”
