Bong Go Says Ready to 'Sacrifice' Presidential Candidacy

Senator Bong Go said Thursday he was willing to make the "supreme sacrifice", hinting at a possible withdrawal of his presidential bid, as the contenders to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte became clear after a series of plot twists.

Go, who ran for president instead of vice president at the last minute to avoid a clash with the President's daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, said he was praying for guidance, calling the presidency a "matter of destiny."

"But in the past few days po, I realized that my heart and mind are contradicting my own actions. Tao lang po ako na nasasaktan at napapagod din. O baka dahil sadyang napakarumi at ganun kainit lang talaga ang pulitika. Talagang nagreresist po ang aking katawan, puso at isipan. Pati po ang aking pamilya ay nahihirapan," said Go, Duterte's longtime aide.

"Ako yung taong handang magsakripisyo para wala nang maipit, masaktan at mamroblema. Ayoko na pong mahirapan si Pangulo at yung mga supporters natin," he said.

READ: BBM-Sara is Official: Bongbong Marcos, Sara Duterte are Running as a Tandem

President Duterte is endorsing Go and his daughter for the 2022 elections even though the two are not running mates.

"Pero sa ngayon, baka hindi ko pa po panahon.  Mahal ko po si Pangulong Duterte. Matanda na rin po siya at ayaw ko siyang bigyan pa ng dagdag na problema," Go said.

"I am willing to make the supreme sacrifice for the good of our country, and for the sake of unity among our supporters and leaders," he said.

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