Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday challenged Senator Trillanes to a one-on-one after getting fed up with the latter's incessant but largely baseless allegations against the Palace official.
Trillanes has been constantly accusing Go, the latest of which was on Tuesday, of pretending to be not interested in running for senator in the 2019 mid-term elections even while President Duterte’s most-trusted aide has been very visible in public engagements.
“Sa sinasabi ni Senator Trillanes na nag-iinarte ako, hindi po ako nag-iinarte dahil hindi po ako politiko. Wala po akong plano, hindi ko po ito pinagplanuhan ( About Senator Trillanes’ claim that I'm putting up an act, I'm not since I'm not a politician. I don't have plans, I did not plan this)," Palace official told reporters during his visit to cancer patients at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City.
“Kung gusto mo one-on-one na lang tayo. Basta one-on-one na lang tayo. Bahala na kahit anong one-on-one. Kahit saan, bahala ka na kung saan (If you (Trillanes) want, let's have one-on-one. It's up to you, what kind of one-on-one. It's up to you where to hold it),” he said.
Trillanes and other government critics alleged that Go is already preparing for a senate run as evidenced by the streamers and tarpaulins popping out in conspicuous places bearing his picture and the words “Ready, Set, Go!”
Critics alleged that this, along with the various public engagements he has been attending lately, only proves that Go is already set to join the senate race.
Go, however, denied the allegations and saying it is not his fault if his supporters put up the materials and that he does not know who are placing them in the first place.
“Nananahimik naman ako dito pero pinupuna niya yun. Hindi ko naman kasalanan kung may naglalagay dyan. Di ko na kasi kontrolado ang mga ito (I'm silent about it, but he criticizes it. It's not my fault if there was someone who put it, because I have no control on them),” he said.
Go added that “Ready, Set, Go” or any slogan with “go” in its message does not necessarily imply his name.
“May naglagay ng Ready Set Go, bakit ibig sabihin -- ready, set, go -- Go na agad yun? Tignan mo yung pader ng Navy, may nakalagay na Go Navy. Akin ba yun? Go Negosyo, baka ipagbintang mo pa yan sa akin There was somebody who put Ready Set Go, why was it meant --ready, set, go --That's already Go: See the Navy's wall, a Go Navy was there. Was it mine? Are you suspecting that Go Negosyo is mine),” he said.
The Palace official could not also help himself from taking a swipe at Trillanes, citing the time the former renegade navy official staged a coup but only to surrender in the end.
“Senator Trillanes, ikaw nga nag coup d’ etat ka, umatras ka naman, sumurender ka naman. Anong klaseng coup d etat yan, huwag kang sumurender (Senator Trillanes, you're the one who stage a coup, but you withdrew, what kind of coup was that, don't surrender), that's all,” he said.
“Kanya kanyang gimik yan Senator Trillanes! Manawagan ka rin sa mga supporters mo at ilagay mukha mo para naman. Yun na lang po. One-on-one na lang tayo Senator (It's one's own gimmick Senator Trillanes! You also call on your supporter to place your picture so that... Let's have just one-on-one Senator),"Go said.
Meanwhile, Go said though he appreciates what his supporters are doing, he is discouraging them from continuing the practice.
He said even if his supporters do not stop, Trillanes need not worry since he would persuade them to place a picture of Trillanes next to his so that the lawmaker will not get jealous.
“Huwag kang mag-alala Senator Trillanes. Papakiusapan ko sila na itabi yung litrato mo sa litrato ko. Nanawagan ako sa lahat ng supporters ko na pwedeng itabi yung litrato ni Senator Trillanes kasi sinabi niya nag-iinarte daw kami. Inggit lang yan (Don't worry Senator Trillanes. I will ask them to place your picture besides me. I'm calling all my supporters if Senator Trillanes' picture could be placed beside mine )," Go said.
Go likewise challenged other critics that instead of wasting their time and efforts in criticizing him, it would be better if they channel their efforts and resources to help the needy.
“Ayaw ko pong pag-usapan ang politika. Hindi po ako namumulitikja. Nandidito po ako para magbigay ng tulong at para i-share po ang blessing na dumating sa buhay ko (I don't want to talk about politics. I'm not politicking. I'm here to help and share the blessing that came into my life0," he added.
“Sana po sa mga critics, sumama na lang kayo dito imbes na mag-critcize kayo. Magsilbi na rin kayo. Madaming mga kawawa dyan (I wish my critics, you just join us instead of making criticism),"Go said. (PNA)
