Go thanks Filipinos for supporting Duterte, calls for unity, prayers

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed gratitude on Tuesday to Filipinos supporting former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is spending his birthday abroad for the first time while detained in the Netherlands.

In an interview on 25 March, Go called for unity, peace, and prayers for Duterte's safe return, acknowledging the emotional toll the former president is facing being separated from his family.

"Ang hirap po mag-isa ro’n… I’m praying sa kanyang kalusugan, kaligtasan, at kalayaan (It's hard to be alone there... I am praying for his health, safety, and freedom),” Go said, wishing Duterte good health, safety, and freedom.

Go also urged Filipinos to judge their leaders fairly, recalling Duterte's dedication to the country. He emphasized that the Filipino people should have the final say regarding their leaders' actions.

The senator also highlighted Duterte’s tradition of quietly celebrating his birthday by helping others.

“Tuwing birthday n’ya, mas ninanais n’yang magpakain sa mga cancer patients o home for the aged, mga matatanda. Naalala ko, mayor pa s’ya sa isang relocation site, ‘yung mga na-relocate na mga illegal settlers, ay pinakain namin. Do’n s’ya nagdala ng cake, nagpakain sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap (Every birthday, he prefers to feed cancer patients or those in homes for the elderly. I remember when he was still mayor at a relocation site, we fed the relocated illegal settlers. He brought a cake there and shared it with our less fortunate countrymen)," he said.

To honor Duterte’s legacy, Go announced plans to continue the tradition of outreach, encouraging others to participate in charity work in Duterte’s absence.

Duterte has long shown a commitment to cancer-stricken children, particularly those receiving treatment at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, where he contributed to the House of Hope Foundation, which provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients.