MANILA — Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (village and youth council) officials should emulate President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s leadership and service, which Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go described as “second to no one”.
In an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the UNTV Cup in Pasig City on Sunday, Go emphasized the youth’s vital role in nation-building, as he advised youth council officials to focus on serving the public with passion and sincerity.
“Of course, kung leadership ang pag-uusapan wala na pong hihigit pa kay Pangulong Duterte (if you’ll talk about leadership President Duterte is second to no one),” he said.
“Siya po ang talagang ama ng ating bansa, ibig sabihin ng pagiging ama niya kapakanan ng bawat anak ng bawat Pilipino. Kaya nga sabi ko kuya ninyo rin ako, kung hindi ninyo siya malapitan nandito lang po ang kuya ninyo para sa kapakanan ng bawat kapatid kong Pilipino ang dapat unahin dahil mahal namin ni Tatay Digong ang Pilipino (He is the true father of our country, that means a father who is after the welfare of every Filipino and I’m your older brother, if you can’t approach him [the president] your elder brother is here for the welfare of my brothers and sisters – which must be prioritized because Father Digong and I love the Filipinos),” he added.
Around 42,000 new village chiefs and 700,000 new youth council officials nationwide started their term of office on June 29 after the 2018 village and youth council polls concluded in May.
As they assume office, Go urged the barangay officials to support the president’s three-point agenda against corruption, criminality, and drugs and prove that they are worthy of their positions and the people’s trust.
“Sabi rin naman ng pangulo sa mayor, local officials, magtrabaho kayo. Tulungan ang presidente sa kanyang kampanya laban sa droga, kriminalidad (The president also told the mayors, local officials to work. Help the president in his campaign against drugs, criminality) and corruption,” he said.
Go also told SK officials that as their first time to be part of the government, they have entered the government fresh, clean and should leave it clean. (Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA)
