Presidential aspirants respect Duterte, Go's withdrawal from Eleksyon 2022

Several presidential aspirants said Tuesday they respect the formal withdrawal of President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go from their respective candidacies in Eleksyon 2022.

Go, a long-time aide of Duterte, formally dropped his presidential bid at the Commission on Elections (Comelec), as confirmed by poll body spokesman James Jimenez. 

Hours later, Duterte also withdrew from the senatorial race.

Reacting to this development, Senator Panfilo Lacson sent his best wishes to Duterte and Go.

"Pres Duterte and Sen Bong Go have chosen peace as their path. Let’s give it to them and wish them well," he wrote in a tweet.

Pres Duterte and Sen Bong Go have chosen peace as their path. Let’s give it to them and wish them well.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) December 14, 2021

His running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III called Duterte and Go's decision as a "wise move."

"It takes a wise man to sacrifice something that he loves and give way to others who can serve our country better,” said Sotto.

Likewise, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said he hopes Go will find his peace after dropping from the race.

“I hope makita ni Senator Bong Go ang kanyang sarili dahil mahirap na desisyon 'yung pinagdaanan niya. Malaking sakripisyo ‘yun sa kanya,” Moreno said in a statement.

(I hope he finds himself because it is a difficult decision. It is a big sacrifice.)

He also admitted that pursuing a presidential campaign is also difficult.

“Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano ang pinaghuhugutan ni Senator Bong Go. (I don't know his main reason.)  But it’s really hard because in a presidential campaign you will be psychologically, emotionally, and physically challenged. So ‘yung mga outside things may also affect your situation," Moreno said.

For his part, Senator Manny Pacquiao said Go leaving the presidential derby may also help him raise votes from Mindanao, his hometown.

He likewise said he respects the decision of the two.

"Siyempre tayo na lang ang natatanging Mindanaoan at Bisaya na tumatakbo bilang presidente. Kanino pa ba susuporta ang mga taga Mindanao at mga Bisaya kundi yung kagaya rin nila, " Pacquiao said in a statement.

(We are the only Mindanaoan and Bisaya who is running for the presidential post. Residents from Mindanao will support someone who is like them.)

"Nirerespeto natin ang desisyon nya. Ang bawat isa may desisyon (I respect his decision. Everyone has their own decision)," he also said.

On Duterte's withdrawal, Go said he was sad about the President's decision to leave public service.

"Mas lalo akong nalulungkot gaya ng iba nating kapwa Pilipino. Bagama’t marami pang pwedeng gawin si Pangulong Duterte para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa, respetuhin na natin ang kanyang desisyon na mag-retire pagkatapos ng kanyang termino bilang Pangulo," the senator said in another statement.

(I was sad about this just like our other countrymen. Although the President can still help our country, let's just respect his decision to retire after his term.)

Go said Duterte will focus on addressing the pandemic instead.

"Ibubuhos na lang po niya ang mga natitirang oras ng kanyang termino sa pagpapaigting ng ating pandemic response and recovery efforts at pati na rin upang masigurong maayos, tahimik at patas ang susunod na halalan tungo sa transition sa susunod na administrasyon," Go said.

(He will focus his remaining hours of his term by improving the pandemic response and recovery efforts and ensure a smooth transition after the next elections.)

Telenovela

Presidential bet and labor leader Leody de Guzman advised the public not to be distracted by Duterte's "telenovela" in the elections.

"Tiyak marami na namang susulpot na spekulasyon kung bakit inatras ni Duterte ang kanyang kandidatura. Ang mahalaga ay ‘wag tayo magpalito o magpadala sa kanilang telenovela," he said.

(Many are speculating on Duterte's withdrawal. What is important here is we shouldn't fall for their telenovela.)

Moreover, De Guzman said Duterte's objective in seeking public office is only to evade accountability.

"Klaro sa atin na ang lahat ng aksyon na ginagawa ng pamilyang Duterte ay nakabatay sa layunin nilang umiwas sa pananagutan sa kanilang mga krimen at sa pagprotekta ng kanilang kapangyarihan at kinamal na yaman," he said.

(It is clear that the Duterte family's goal is to escape their crimes and to protect their wealth.)
 

Tiyak marami na namang susulpot na spekulasyon kung bakit inatras ni Duterte ang kanyang kandidatura. Ang mahalaga ay ‘wag tayo magpalito o magpadala sa kanilang telenovela.

— Ka Leody de Guzman (@LeodyManggagawa) December 14, 2021

In a statement, presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the withdrawal of Go “reinforces this current and signals the consolidation of administration forces to the BBM-Sara UniTeam,” tagging this as a “selfless gesture.”

He said Go has done his part in “strengthening” aspirants who are aligned with the Duterte administration.

“His withdrawal only mirrored his worth as a true public servant, one who is willing to sacrifice his personal aspirations to serve a common purpose and a higher cause: a unified nation crucial to the national interest,” he said.

On the other hand, Marcos lamented the “unexpected” withdrawal of Duterte from the senatorial race.

“Although we welcomed with utmost gladness when he earlier filed his Certificate of Candidacy for senator, we respect the wisdom in his decision to withdraw his CoC,” he said.

He vowed that their ticket would continue his legacy and “enhance some of them” if necessary should they be elected in Eleksyon 2022.

Marcos’ running-mate is presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

“Rest assured, Mr. President, your sacrifices for this country will not come to naught. With a unified nation, we shall have peace, unity and progress. Indeed, our country shall be great once again,” he said.

GMA News Online sought comment from other presidential aspirants but has yet to receive a reply as of posting.

It can be recalled that Go announced his intention to drop his presidential bid on November 30, saying his family is not in favor of him running for president. He further pointed out that he did not want to put Duterte in a difficult situation. —With a report from Hana Bordey/AOL/KG, GMA News