President Duterte is not, in any way, intimidated by the challenge of Bishop Teodoro Bacani for him to walk outdoors without any bodyguard or bulletproof vest.

This, former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go emphasized yesterday as he took the cudgels for his former boss against the recent challenge made by the bishop to underscore the wave of criminality allegedly prevailing in the country.

“He has been doing that even when he was still mayor of Davao City. The President is a simple person who can go out at night by himself,” Go said.

Speaking before fire survivors in Barangay Pulang Lupa I, Las Piñas, Go pointed out that, contrary to the opinion of Bacani, President Duterte is not afraid to walk alone in the streets.

“He has been doing that even when he was still mayor of Davao City. The President is a simple person who can go out at night by himself,” Go said.

Go explained that the only reason President Duterte has stopped doing so is because of his responsibility as President of the Philippines.

“Protocol dictates that as President, he is bound to be secured at all times by the Presidential Security Group. Even if he wants to walk alone by himself, his security detail is duty-bound to follow him wherever he goes for security reasons. But given the choice, he would do the Bacani challenge for the Bishop’s satisfaction,” Go said.

The former Cabinet official then gave his own challenge to Bishop Teodoro Bacani.

“Why don’t you walk alone at night by yourself and see the changes in the peace and order situation in the neighborhood? Our countrymen are already experiencing what we have not experienced before – criminality is on a decline and criminals have cowered in fear,” Go said.

After discussing Bishop Bacani’s challenge, Go took time to remind Las Pinas residents that they can go to the Malasakit Center at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Taft Ave, Manila for their urgent health needs.

Barangay Pulang Lupa I in Las Piñas is the site of Saturday’s fire that destroyed 50 houses, rendered 150 families homeless, and caused property damage amounting to P300,000.

Go, along with his team of volunteers, gave clothes, shoes, grocery items, food packs, meals and cash assistance to the affected families of the area. Pulang Lupa I residents were very grateful for the care and support shown by Go and his supporters.

Go also assured students and employees who lost their clothes and personal belongings in the fire that they would be receiving replacement items and uniforms so that they can go back to school and work in the coming week.

Meanwhile, Go welcomed the new law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte that would help address the lack of teachers in home economics subjects.