“Opening lines of communication and amicably managing differences have led to positive developments.

In his third State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte affirmed his trust in long-time friend and aide, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go,” as he cited the key role he played in the delivery of crucial services directly to the people.

Duterte noted that in attending to his numerous responsibilities in the past two years, he learned that lack of consultation or insufficient information can lead to rash judgment.

In times when he has to make some hard decisions, Duterte said he usually consults with people he trusts.

“If and when I am unsure of the most appropriate course of action to take given the problem, its actual milieu and the desired end, I never fail to consult to discuss options with persons whom I trust and whose advice I value,” Duterte said.

Duterte mentioned SAP Bong Go as among those he relies on in times when he is having a hard time making decisions, citing his role in the establishing “Malasakit Centers.”

“Malasakit Centers” are one-stop government health centers that serve poor Filipinos by providing access to health services.

“When I decided to establish ‘Malasakit Centers,’ my long-time aide, Bong Go, and his team became instrumental in arriving at the right decision through proper consultations,” Duterte said.

“Malasakit Center” is an initiative of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President in cooperation with several agencies, namely, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.

In helping President Duterte, fondly called “Tatay Digong,” to deliver the services directly to the people, SAP Go also earned the moniker “Kuya Bong.”

But in distributing relief goods, construction materials and other forms of assistance to victims of disasters, SAP Go earned flak from critics of the administration. The criticisms became more intense when posters encouraging him to run for the Senate were noted in many places in the country.

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