“Isa lang po ang paalala ko sa inyo, unahin po ninyo ang interes ng bayan, unahin po ang interes ng bawat Pilipino,” Go said during the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of key members of the AFP.
Senator Go then asked the officers to remain steadfast in protecting the country’s sovereignty.
“As our first line of defense, your continued courage and commitment are vital in defending our country’s honor, rights, and future.”
Go, Vice Chairman of the Committee on National Defense, gave credit to the senior officers’ heroism and service to the nation: “Dahil sa inyong kabayanihan, nararapat lang po na bigyang pagkilala ang mga uniformed personnel natin dito.”
He particularly cited the uniformed personnel’s sacrifices for the nation even during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Maraming salamat po muli sa inyong sakrispisyo sa bayan, sa panahon ng pandemya, nandiyan po kayo na nagseserbisyo. Malaki po ang utang na loob ng Pilipino sa inyo at maraming, maraming salamat po muli,” Go said.
The senator recalled the time when former President Rodrigo Duterte asked Go, who was then Special Assistant to the President, to help promote the welfare of the uniformed personnel in 2017.
“Maalala ko inutusan niya ako, sabi niya, unahin mo ang mga sundalo, iyun ang ipinangako ko sa kanila iyung entry position, idoble mo ang sahod, sabi niya,” Go narrated.
During the Duterte administration, Go helped in his capacity in pushing for salary increases for military and other uniformed personnel, emphasizing that better compensation is a fitting tribute to their dedication to the country. He also recalled the salary increase for uniformed personnel under Duterte’s term, saying it was a hard-fought commitment.
“Kung hindi maaprubahan ng Kongreso, sinabi niya, I will resign kasi mapapahiya raw po siya, sabi niya… unahin lang ang mga sundalo. Ganun niya po kamahal ang Armed Forces of the Philippines, ang ating mga sundalo, lalung-lalo na po yung mga nasa baba,” Go said.
Go’s advocacy for the welfare of uniformed personnel has remained consistent and steadfast.
He is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12177, or the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act, which institutionalizes free legal aid for military and uniformed personnel facing service-related charges.
He also co-authored RA 11549, which reduced the height requirements for applicants to the PNP, making the police service more accessible to aspiring law enforcers nationwide. In addition, he supported RA 11200, which reformed the PNP’s rank classification system by aligning it with military ranks to promote operational clarity and efficiency.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, he consistently pushed for more support to uniformed personnel particularly in the modernization of AFP.
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