Go declines PDP-Laban nomination anew, says presidency a ‘headache’

Senator Bong Go on Wednesday again declined the PDP-Laban's nomination for him to become the party's presidential candidate in Eleksyon 2022, adding that being a president will be a "headache."

Go had consistently declined the party's endorsement, adding that he is not interested on the presidential post.  

"Subalit, inuulit ko, hindi po ako interesadong tumakbo sa pagka-Pangulo sa darating na halalan. Nakatutok po ang buong puso at isipan ko sa pagseserbisyo sa aking kapwa at wala po akong hangarin na makipagkumpitensya sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa bansa," he said in a video message as he thanked the PDP-Laban for nominating him as the party's presidential candidate.

(As I have said before, I am not interested in running as President in the upcoming elections. I am concentrating on public service and have no interest in competition for the highest post in the country.)

"Unahin ninyo na lang po ang may gusto. Ang importante ay hanapan natin ng katimbang si Pangulong Duterte upang maipagpatuloy ang pagbabago. Yun ang continuity na inaasam natin," Go added.

(Just pick whoever wants it. The important thing is that the candidate needs to be equal to President Duterte to continue the change. The continuity that we aspire.)

"Dahil sa mga pagsubok na hinaharap natin ngayon, sakit sa ulo ang aabutin ng susunod na presidente. Kaya tutulong na lang ako sa kanya," he further pointed out.

(Because of our challenges, it will be a headache to become a president. So I will just help him.)

In a national convention of PDP-Laban led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, President Rodrigo Duterte had already accepted his nomination to become the party's vice presidential bet in 2022.

Aside from Go and Duterte, the ruling party also nominated the following members, which composed of mostly Duterte Cabinet officials:

For Senator:

• Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III

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• Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo
• Transport Chief Arthur Tugade
• Leyte Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

Guest Candidates

• Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr.
• Public Works Chief Mark Villar
• Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)  Chairman Grego Belgica
• House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta

Convince Go

PDP-Laban secretary general Melvin Matibag, who is from Cusi's faction, said they will still convince Go to become their presidential bet.

"He  (Go) is still our candidate for presidential elections. We have always said that we are still open... We will wait, we will continue to convince him," he said, in Filipino, in a press conference after Duterte's speech.

"The more important thing is the President has already accepted his vice presidency," he added. —LDF, GMA News