TARLAC CITY, Tarlac – Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong Go” on Monday congratulated newly-elected barangay (village) officials in the province of Tarlac and urged them to be fully devoted to good governance.
He also called on the local officials to stamp out drugs and corruption in their respective communities during their term of office.
“Ngayong parte na po kayo ng gobyerno, hiling po ng administrasyong Duterte na sana ay patatagin na po natin ang ating dedication sa good governance at paglaban sa corruption sa ating mga nasasakupan (Now you are all part of government, the Duterte Administration is requesting that to strengthen your dedication to good governance and fight against corruption in your jurisdiction.),” Go said in his speech after the mass oath-taking ceremony of local executives from the 511 barangays of Tarlac.
The ceremony, which coincided with the 145th foundation anniversary of Tarlac province, was held at the Tarlac Christian College gymnasium in Barangay Culipat, Tarlac City. It was attended by top provincial officials led by Governor Susan Yap and Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Victor Yap.
The mass oath-taking of around 4,000 newly-elected barangay officials was also the first in the country that was attended by a high-ranking Malacañang official.
Meanwhile, Go told the newly-elected barangay officials not to lose the trust of the people who voted them into office and show them that they really deserved the trust bestowed on them by the community.
“Pahalagaan po ninyo ang tiwala at pagmamahal na ibinigay sa inyo ng inyong mga ka-barangay. Panahon naman ngayon na ipakita sa kanila na tama ang tiwala na ipinagkaloob sa inyo (You should appreciate the trust and love that are given to you by your villagers. It’s now time for you to show that you deserve their trust),” he said.
The Palace official also reminded them of the important role they play as the forefront of the government in nation-building.
“Bilang mga government officials, malaki ang ginagampanan nating papel sa kaunlaran at kaayusan ng ating mga nasasakupan. Kung lahat tayo magsisikap para sa ikakabuti ng ating komunidad at hindi lamang ang ating sarili, mas uunlad po ang Pilipinas (As government officials, you have an important role to play in the progress and orderliness of our constituency. If we all strive for the good of our communities and not only of ourselves, the Philippines would be more progressive),” Go said.
Go urged the newly-elected barangay officials to support President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, corruption and criminality.
“Pursigido kami ni Pangulo na mapabuti ang pamumuhay nating lahat at maisaayos ang pamamalakad sa gobyerno sa tulong ng three-point program ng administrasyong Duterte (We are determined to uplift our quality of life of and to correct the way the government is being run with the help of the three-point program of the Duterte Administration),” he added.
“Layunin ng three-point progran na labanan ang problema sa droga, corruption at kriminalidad. Alam ni Pangulong Duterte na kapag raresolba ang tatlong malaking problemang ito, positibo po ang magiging epekto nito sa ating lipunan (The aim of the three-point program is to fight the problem of illegal drugs, corruption and criminality. President Duterte knows that if the three main problems are resolved, it would have a positive effect on our society),” he said.
“Malaki po ang tulong ng mga kapitan. Kayo po yung nakaka-alam, kung sino po ang nasa droga sa barangay ninyo. Kaya po suportahan natin ang programa ni Presidente laban sa droga kasi po talagang nakakasama, nakakasira ng pamilya (The assistance of local officials goes a long way. You know who are into drugs in your village. That’s why we should support the program of the President against drugs because nothing comes good out of it and would destroy families),” Go said.
Go also cited President Duterte’s all-out campaign against corruption, where even his closest friends and supporters were not spared.
“Sa corruption naman, lahat po ginagawa ng ating Pangulo. Kahit na kaibigan nya, kamag-anak, o sino pa man ang sumuporta at nangampanya sa kanya, pag umabot sa corruption, tinatanggal po nya (In case of corruption, the President is doing all he can. Even his friends, relatives, or anybody who supports and campaigns for him, when they are involved in corruption, they are dismissed from government),” he added.
“Para po sa kanya, interest po ng bayan ang nauuna parati kesa sa interes ng mga kaibigan nya. Ganun po si Pangulo, kilala ko po sya (For him,the interest of the country should come first rather than the interest of his friends. That’s how the President acts, I know him),” Duterte’s long-time aide said.
Go also told the newly-elected local officials that uplifting the lives of the Filipino people is of paramount concern of the President, and called on them to continuously support the programs of the national government.
“Walang ibang hangarin si Pangulo kundi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino. Mahal po kayo ng ating Pangulo. Mahal ko po kayo (The President has no other dream but for the good of every Filipino. The President loves you. I love you),” Go said.
After his speech, Go, a skilled basketball player, engaged in a friendly three-point shootout and a scrimmage with members of the Tarlac police force. Present during the shootout were basketball greats Kenneth Duremdes and Dondon Hontiveros.
Still in his basketball uniform, Go then proceeded to the Diwa ng Tarlac where he briefly met with all of the province’s mayors, vice mayors and councilors before rushing back to Malacañang to attend to some urgent matters. (PNA)
