Standing as the top notcher in the Senate race with a historic outcome of over 27 million votes, Go marked the occasion with a reaffirmation of duty: to serve the Filipino people with unwavering resolve and sincerity.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Panginoong Diyos, kay Allah, sa buhay na ibinigay, sa mga gabay at sa pagkakataong ito na manilbihan muli sa kapwa ko Pilipino. Truly, God is good. God is fair. Pinagpapala po ang nagpapakumbaba,” he began.
The senator then extended his appreciation across the archipelago. “Taus-puso din ang aking pasasalamat sa buong sambayanang Pilipino, mula Batanes, mula Appari, hanggang Jolo, hanggang Tawi-Tawi. Maraming salamat po sa inyong tiwala at suporta sa akin na isang probinsyano, isang Batangueñong Bisaya na tubong Mindanao, sa pagkakataong makapagserbisyo muli sa inyo.”
“Hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang inyong tiwalang ibinigay. Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya, dahil bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo sa kapwa ko Pilipino,” he vowed.
More importantly, Go paid tribute to his long-time mentor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, recognizing his profound influence: “Hinding-hindi rin matutumbasan ang aking pasasalamat kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na naging mentor at inspirasyon ko sa pagseserbisyo sa loob ng mahigit dalawang dekada.”
He continued, “Huwag nating kalimutan ang kanyang mga sakripisyo para sa sambayanang Pilipino, katulad ng pagsigurong ligtas na nakakalakad sa pag-uwi ang ating mga anak na hindi nababastos at hindi nasasaktan.”
Recalling the core lesson imparted to him, Go shared: “Tinatandaan ko palagi ang sinasabi sa akin: Just do what is right. Gawin lang ang tama at hinding-hindi ka magkakamali. Unahin ang interes ng bayan. Unahin ang interes ng bawat Pilipino!”
Equally important was his gratitude to Vice President Sara Duterte for backing the DuterTEN slate. “Maraming salamat din sa ating Vice President, Sara Duterte, sa pag-endorso sa aming mga DuterTEN senatorial candidates,” he stated.
In addition, Go commended the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), saying, “Lubos din po ang aking pasasalamat sa bumubuo ng COMELEC, sa pamumuno ni Chairman George Garcia at sa ating mga ginagalang na commissioners,” he remarked.
“Sa bawat empleyado ng COMELEC at lalo sa mga guro na nagsakripisyo. Yung iba po tinawid ay pitong oras para siguraduhin maayos at magtagumpay ang ating elections. Maraming, maraming salamat po.”
Outlining his legislative focus for the next six years, Go declared: “And for my second term, with all sincerity, I will continue to push for pro-poor programs and laws, especially on health. Health is wealth. We must work together to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor and indigent patients. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino.”
On education, he highlighted the importance of investing in the youth: “With the help of my fellow legislators, we will also continue to help our future generations, the youth whose voices we heard last elections, and who hold the promise of a brighter future for our country. Hence, we need to invest more in their education, like expanding further the law promoting the Universal Access to Tertiary Education signed by former President Duterte, so that students will be able to choose more programs and avail of free education.”
As a passionate supporter of grassroots sports, Go reiterated its developmental value. “As an advocate of sports, we should also further advance sports development in the country especially at the grassroots so that aspiring young athletes can be allowed to improve their skills and hopefully eventually produce more Olympic medalists who will bring honor to our country,” he asserted.
He also linked sports with public health and anti-drug campaigns: “That is why I keep encouraging fellow Filipinos, especially the youth, to get into sports, stay away from drugs and keep them healthy and fit.”
Turning to economic issues, Go stressed: “We will also push for legislation that, if enacted, will provide more opportunities in terms of job creation and livelihood support. Together, we must pursue and strengthen food security to ensure that there is food on the table for our people. Importante sa akin ang laman ng tiyan ng mga kababayan natin lalo na po yung mahihirap.”
On peace and order, the senator reinforced his firm position: “We must continue our fight against criminality, illegal drugs and corruption for a more peaceful and orderly society. Mahalagang nakakalakad sa gabi ang mga Pilipino nang walang takot.”
Emphasizing that public service must be beyond politics, Go remarked: “Hindi po ako pulitiko na mangangako. Gagawin ko lang ang aking trabaho.”
He also explained the broader scope of a senator’s mandate. “Hindi lang naman legislation ang trabaho ng isang senador. Kasama din sa mandato namin ang oversight para masigurong tama ang ginagawa ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno, representation para makinig sa inyong mga hinaing at maging boses ninyo sa Senado, at constituency—kayo yun bilang aming mga pinagsisilbihan.”
Go expressed how he hopes to be remembered: “With all humility, I wish to be remembered, not just as a senator, but as a public servant who puts first the welfare of our people at all times, particularly the poor and the less fortunate in life. Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya.”
“Sipag, pagmamalasakit, at more serbisyo ang kaya kong i-alay sa inyo,” he emphasized.
He ended his speech with a solemn reflection. “Minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kaya kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito.”
“Ako si Senator Bong Go na patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil ako ay maniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.”
He concluded with a resounding message of unity and appreciation: “Maraming salamat sa inyong suporta! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino!”
Following the event, Go immediately proceeded to visit fire victims in Manila, where he extended assistance and listened to the concerns of affected families.