Senator Christopher "Bong" Go (Contributed photo) MANILA - Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said he is "well-decided" to run for vice president in the 2022 elections, denying speculations that he is paving the way for the candidacy of another person through substitution. "I can't speak for the other candidates. Hindi po ako makapagsalita kung ano po ang magiging desisyon ng partido... As far as I am concerned, sa aking tinakbuhang posisyon, desidido na po ako (I can't say what would be decision of the party. As far as I am concerned, I am well-decided to run for the position I filed)," Go said in an interview during the launch of the country's 143rd Malasakit Center at Dona Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental on Tuesday. Go said President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to retire from politics prompted him to take on the challenge as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president on Oct. 2. "So I accepted the challenge to run as VP candidate po ng (of) PDP. Ako po ay desidido at tuluy-tuloy na po ito ang aking pagtakbo bilang VP (I am well-decided and I will continue to run as VP)," he said. He said the ruling party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), has been preparing for the elections and someone must step forward for the party to continue the administration's programs and pursue further the positive change that Duterte has started. "Desisyon po 'yan ng partido at ni Pangulong Duterte. Since he withdrew, hindi na siya tumuloy bilang kandidato as vice president. Kaya ako po 'yung pinatakbo ng partido at ni Pangulong Duterte dahil kailangan po namin na meron tayong timon na magdadala at magpapatuloy ng mga adhikain ng PDP at ng administrasyong ito (That is the decision of the party and President Duterte. Since he withdrew, he will no longer run as vice president. That is why the party and President Duterte asked me to run because we need to have someone who will continue the aspirations of the PDP and this administration)," Go said. Go said if he wins, he will continue Duterte's legacy, assisting the country in overcoming the pandemic and providing a better life for all Filipinos. "Ang importante para sa akin ngayon ay economic recovery, makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay. (What is important for me is the economic recovery, return to normal life," he added. Despite his decision to run COC for vice president, Go said he remains focused on his duties as a senator and public servant. "Ayaw ko munang pag-usapan ang pulitika kaya parati kong sinasabi, bakuna muna bago ang pulitika dahil baka wala na tayong pag-usapang pulitika kung hindi natin malampasan ang krisis na ito. (I don't want to talk about politics yet. I've been saying time and again that vaccine first before politics because will will no longer be talking about politics if we cannot survive this crisis)," he said. Go said he will not be complacent about his chances in the next year's elections, reiterating that at the end of the day, it's the Filipino people would choose who they want to lead them. "Basta ako po, pagdating ng panahon, darating din ang panahon ng campaign period. 'Wag lang po ngayon, unahin muna natin ang serbisyo (For me, there is a time for campaign period. For now, let's prioritize public services)," he said. He said he will be a "working vice president" and not merely be a "spare tire" should the Filipino people elect him on May 9, 2022 elections. "I will be a working vice president na 'di lang sa salita kundi sa gawa. Walang masasayang na oras, walang masasayang na minuto. Magseserbisyo ako sa inyo (not only in word but in deed. No time will be wasted. I will serve you)," he said. (PR) }