Bong Go draws flak for role in cash card distribution in Boracay

ILOILO CITY — For someone who professes to be disinterested in politics, Christopher “Bong” Go, President Duterte’s most trusted aide, is attracting the kind of attention that politicians crave for.

Take for example the reactions on social media that Go’s appearance at an aid distribution ceremony in Boracay generated.

Go recently joined the ceremony organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) at a gymnasium in the village of Manoc-Manoc in Boracay for residents who lost their jobs when the Duterte administration ordered the resort island’s closure.

Go was on stage with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Environment Secretary Frank Cimatu during the distribution of cash cards under the Boracay Emergency Employment Program (BEEP).

Go also distributed grocery packs that he said were from private donors.

He has no official role in the Boracay Interagency Task Force, which supervises rehab efforts on the island described by President Duterte as a “cesspool.”

He spoke on stage carefully avoiding any mention of what his political plans were. But he didn’t have to be explicit.

After the 30-minute program, shirts printed with Go’s image were distributed to hundreds of residents and workers who were at the gymnasium.

“If this is not campaigning, I don’t know what is!” wrote resident Elizabeth Bondad after seeing a video of Go at the ceremony posted on the Boracay Informer Facebook page.

“Using our taxes,” she added.

One resident, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation, said officials who went on stage were just “fooling the people.”

“They are releasing cash cards,” said the resident. “It’s similar to giving money away. It’s made to appear that Bong Go arrived and gave them money.

Go gamely posed for selfies with residents, many cheering as President Duterte’s longtime assistant was introduced on stage.

A supporter of Go impersonated the President on stage and heaped praises on Go.

Go, however, repeatedly denied eyeing a Senate seat, although he was openly endorsed by his boss and by dozens of streamers, banners, posters, and billboards that sprouted all over town.

“Bong Go’s shameless grandstanding should not be dismissed nor allowed to continue,” said Boracay resident and freelance writer Freida Dario Santiago.

“He took advantage of displaced workers and their families’ suffering and capitalized on their desperation brought about by the government’s sluggish response in providing much needed assistance.”

She said Go disrespected the gathering “with his crass jokes to a captive audience, like a herd of voters perfectly ripe for exploitation.”

Santiago also noted that Manoc-Manoc has the biggest number of voters in Boracay.

Another resident said that while it was good that Go was able to visit Boracay and see the situation of the people, “his premature campaign was done in bad taste.”

However, there were also many who commended Go on social media, welcoming his help and accusing those who criticized him as “envious” and “dilawan” (yellows), referring to supporters of the Liberal Party.

Some people called the President’s aide “Go rapal.”

“He’s using government resources to advance his political career. What do you call him?” said May Martinez, another resident, in a social media comment. /ee

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