Rowegie Abanto

Incumbent senator Christopher "Bong" Go walks toward his supporters after filing their certificate of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections in Manila on October 3, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17472884719541747119257498174642240691320241003-go-dela-rosa-salvador-padilla-coc-MD-5.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Incumbent senator Christopher &quot;Bong&quot; Go walks toward his supporters after filing their certificate of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections in Manila on October 3, 2024. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Christopher &quot;Bong&quot; Go thanked former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom he said gave him guidance and inspiration to serve in public office, during his proclamation as a senator-elect on Saturday, May 17.</p><p>&quot;Hinding-hindi rin matutumbasan ang aking pasasalamat kay dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, na naging mentor at inspirasyon ko sa pagseserbisyo sa higit dalawang dekada. Huwag nating kalimutan ang kaniyang serbisyo para sa sambayanang Pilipino,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Tinatandaan ko palagi ang sinasabi niya sa akin, &#x27;Just do, what is right. Gawin lang ang tama at hindi ka magkakamali, unahin ang interes ng bayan, unahin po ang interes ng bawat Pilipino,&#x27;&quot; he added.</p><p>Go, who ran under the Duterte-led PDP-Laban party, topped the midterm senatorial race with 27,121,073 votes based on official figures from the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC). </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/13/-god-is-good-god-is-fair-bong-go-expresses-gratitude-for-topping-senate-race-1514">‘God is good, God is fair,’ says Bong Go after topping Senate race</a></div><p>Go, who was a long-time aide of Duterte before he joined the Senate, had said he would use his fresh mandate to lobby for health, food, job security, and education.</p><p>The senator led the other Duterte allies in the so-called &quot;Magic 12&quot; proclaimed by the Commission on Elections, including reelectionist Sen. Ronald &quot;Bato&quot; dela Rosa, presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos, and Senate newcomers Camille Villar and Rodante Marcoleta — both outgoing House lawmakers.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/12/bong-go-on-taking-top-senate-spot-para-akong-nabunutan-ng-tinik-2317">Bong Go on taking top Senate spot: &#x27;Para akong nabunutan ng tinik&#x27;</a></div><p>Many attribute Go&#x27;s senatorial win to the success of his pet project Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop for the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.</p><p>Malasakit Centers &quot;provide medical and financial assistance to the indigent and financially incapacitated patients without their having to go out of the hospital to seek assistance from the said participating agencies,&quot; according to the DSWD website.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/2/19/doh-assures-funding-continuous-service-in-malasakit-centers-2107">DOH assures funding, continuous service in Malasakit Centers</a></div><p>The 12 senators chosen nationally will form half the jury in an impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte later this year that could see her permanently barred from public office.</p><p>Sara Duterte&#x27;s long-running feud with former ally Marcos erupted in February when she was impeached by the House for alleged &quot;high crimes,&quot; including corruption and an assassination plot against the president.</p><p>Barely a month later, her father was arrested and sent to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to face a charge of crimes against humanity over his deadly drug crackdown.</p><p>Despite being in detention, Duterte regained the mayorship of family stronghold Davao City in a landslide vote.</p><div><strong>—with a report from Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PnRrEViiPdI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go thanked former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom he said gave him guidance and inspiration to serve in public office, during his proclamation as a senator-elect on Saturday, May 17.</p>

Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go thanked former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom he said gave him guidance and inspiration to serve in public office, during his proclamation as a senator-elect on Saturday, May 17.

Senate race topnotcher Bong Go thanks Duterte

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Senate race topnotcher Bong Go thanks Duterte

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 17, 2025 05:13 PM PHT

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Updated May 18, 2025 08:57 AM PHT

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