Political harassment is not President Duterte's style, Sen. Bong Go asserts.

President Rodrigo Duterte is not one to harass his critics and his former special assistant-turned-senator was the first to come to the Chief Executive’s defense.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go denounced foreign interference in Philippine affairs after a United States Senate panel approved a resolution calling for the release of opposition senator Leila de Lima, detained since 2017 due to illegal drug charges, and for a stop to the alleged harassment of journalist Maria Ressa.

Go said the President is focused on the welfare of Filipinos and is too old to waste his time on critics.

“Hindi po siya nakikialam. Hindi po siya nang-haharass. He is already 74 years old, wala na po siyang ibang interes kundi magtrabaho lang po kami para sa bawat Pilipino,” said Go during the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) 46th Fire Service Recognition Day on Thursday.

Asserting that the US has no business in domestic affairs, Go said American lawmakers are ignorant about Philippine issues.

“Sa Senado? Dun sa US? Anong kinalaman nila dito sa Pilipinas, US Senate? Bakit sila nakikialam dito sa Pilipinas? Senador ba sila dito sa ating bansa? Alamin niyo muna sa mga senators ng ibang bansa, alamin niyo muna kung political harassment ba ito, kung talagang mayroong kaso o may kasalanan ang tao,” said Go.

“‘Wag muna kayo manghimasok sa bagay na hindi niyo alam. Alamin n’yo muna ‘yung totoo at may kasong hinaharap at hindi po nangingialam si Pangulong Duterte. Walang ginagawang political harassment po ang ating Pangulo. Hindi po ganun si Pangulong Duterte.”

Go said he can vouch for the President’s brand of leadership, being his long-time aide, and that harassing his critics is not his style.

“Wala na po siyang ibang interes. Magtrabaho na lang po kami para sa bawat Pilipino. Sabi ko nga pagkatapos ng termino niya, pagkatapos ng termino namin, uwi na kami ng Davao. Not his cup of tea ‘yung pang ha-harass po ng kapwa politika, not his style,” said Go.

Senate President Tito Sotto also criticized the resolution, arguing that the Philippines is no longer a US colony.