After issues were raised by some senators regarding the qualifications of appointed officials in the Duterte administration, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized that it is the prerogative of President Rodrigo Duterte being the appointing authority as provided by law. 

 

In a privilege speech on Tuesday, August 31, Go cited President Duterte who, during his Talk to the People address on Tuesday morning, said that he has the authority to appoint individuals he trusts in government positions.

 

“It is the President’s prerogative who to appoint in his office and in his administration. Kung gusto mong makialam sa appointments, maging Pangulo ka po,” said Go. 

 

"Why question the appointing authority when his right to do so was given to him by the Constitution? If you have reservations on the qualifications of people in the government, question it before the proper courts. Or if you want to change the qualifications, pass a law to favor what you want," he added. 

 

While merit is important in appointing officials, Go said that trust is equally considered by the appointing authority. He went on to say that just because some appointees of the President are from Davao should not be an issue because he has the authority to install people he thinks are capable to lead these offices. 

 

"Bakit issue na ngayon na puro taga-Davao ang naa-appoint? Ano pong masama doon kung sila ang pinagkakatiwalaan ng Pangulo? Ano tingin nyo sa Pangulo, hindi marunong kumilatis? Personal choice niya po 'yan. Hindi porke’t abogado niya, eh tao ko na. Abogado niya po 'yan noon pa," said Go.

 

"Huwag kayong magmalinis. Sa mga opisina ninyo, wala ba kayong katrabaho na kamag-anak, ka-fraternity, ka-probinsya, o kaibigan? Sabi ko nga, doon lang po sana tayo sa totoo. Maging patas po tayo," he added. 

 

Coming from the province, Go believes that appointing other probinsyanos to serve in government is a non-issue as long as they do the right thing and avoid corruption.

 

"Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay mga probinsyano na nagtratrabaho ng matino, tumutulong sa mga Pilipino at nagsusumikap na maibangon sa krisis ang ating bansa. Ano po ang masama kung kumuha siya ng mga probinsiyano para tulungan siyang magserbisyo sa bayan?" said Go.

 

"Ang pangunahing bilin nga ng Pangulo sa kanyang mga ina-appoint: 'Just do what is right and avoid corruption.' Wala sa usapan ang korapsyon. Kasi kung gusto mo talagang tumulong sa administrasyon, gagawin mo kung ano ang tama," he added. 

 

The Senator went on to say that he and Duterte are working together with other co-equal branches in order to eradicate corruption in the Philippines despite the reality that it is difficult to fully accomplish such goal. 

 

"And if you believe that people have committed crimes and should be punished, then file the necessary cases or give our prosecutors sufficient evidence to ensure that these people are indeed punished. Patunayan natin kay Pangulong Duterte at lalo na sa mga kababayan natin na may kahihinatnan ang mga hearing na ito," he said. 

 

Go also reiterated that he, as former Special Assistant to the President, did not decide on appointments of key officials in the executive branch particularly of former Department of Budget and Management Usec. Christopher Lloyd Lao. 

 

Go also clarified that Lao was never his aide and that he did not directly report to him. He explained further that his office as SAP from 2016 to 2018 only had supervisory powers over the Presidential Management Staff where Lao belonged then, as well as other select offices in the OP, and they do not report directly to him nor do they function as his ‘aide’. 

 

That said, the Senator emphasized that anyone found to be complicit in corruption will be prosecuted in accordance with the law under the administration's anti-corruption policy with utmost fairness and respect for due process.

 

"Basta't napatunayang sangkot ka sa korapsyon, kahit sino ka man, kahit saan ka man nanggaling, dapat kang managot. At tulungan natin si Pangulong Duterte, ipakulong po ang dapat ipakulong kung may kasalanan po," said Go.