Go warns public on name-droppers

BONG Go says there’s nothing definite yet on him running in 2019. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has asked the public not to believe anyone soliciting money on his behalf.

“There are different groups enticing me to run. But we did not authorize anyone to raise fund, even one peso,” Go stated in a radio interview.

He said the public should not believe any solicitation for his purported run for the Senate in 2019.

“If there is someone who will solicit money or whatever for my candidacy, do not believe them, I am not a candidate,” he said.

Go also denied causing the resignation of 12 top officials of the Coconut Industry Investment Fund-Oil Mills Group (CIIF-OMG).

The officials resigned after they protested to Malacanang the appointment of Rehan Lao as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the agency.

Go said on radio that he has nothing to do with the resignations submitted by the 12 to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Those who resigned were led by chairman Eddie Delima and former CEO Benedicto Lor.

The President’s assistant also denied that he, through his representatives, asked Lor for mid-term election campaign funds.

Lor, in an affidavit, claimed that a couple named Lou Luy and Jocel Luy introduced themselves as having “strong connection with Go” and then asked for funds for Go’s purported Senate run.

CIIF-OMG Vice President Joven Evangelista admitted they were not able to verify the legitimacy of the request and that the couple might be using Go’s name.

Go denied any connection with the couple.

CIIF-OMG officials claimed that the Luys plotted to have Lor kicked out from the agency because of his refusal to provide such funding.

Delima said officials had doubts in Lao’s appointment due to his “incompetence” and questionable credentials and they were put under pressure to accept Lao’s appointment.

Lao is said to have claimed he is a lawyer although records show that he did not pass the bar examination. Additionally, Lao has a pending administrative case of misrepresentation before the Office of the Ombudsman.