Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said public service should not be driven by awards or recognition after being named Public Servant of the Year at the InCharge Magazine CEO Awards 2026.

Go accepted the award in a video message during the 27 August ceremony at the Embassy of Indonesia in Makati City.

“I am deeply grateful to receive the Public Servant of the Year Award. I accept this recognition with humility and with renewed determination to continue doing the work entrusted to me by the Filipino people,” Go added.

Go said recognition mattered less than whether government services reached ordinary Filipinos, particularly those who needed help most.

“More than any award or recognition, what matters most to me is the opportunity to serve and help our fellow Filipinos, especially the poor and those in need,” he said.

“The true measure of our work is whether we are able to help people and whether ordinary Filipinos can truly feel the service of their government,” he added.

The awards, organized by TAG Media Group, recognized leaders from government, business, diplomacy, entrepreneurship, media and other sectors.

Advocacies

The event also marked Indonesia’s Independence Day and Philippine-Indonesian friendship.

Go has focused his Senate work on health care, disaster response, education, youth and sports, and assistance to communities affected by calamities.

He principally authored and sponsored Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized one-stop centers for patients seeking government medical assistance.

He also pushed for Super Health Centers to provide primary care and consultations in communities and principally authored and sponsored Republic Act 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which seeks to expand access to specialized medical care through qualified Department of Health regional hospitals.

“As I always say, with or without an award or recognition, I will continue serving to the best of my ability,” Go said.

He thanked the organizers and fellow awardees, saying the recognition would serve as additional motivation.

“I am Senator Bong Go, and you can continue to count on me to serve to the best of my ability,” he added.