Bong Go leads polls for 2025 Senate, vows to continue ‘Serbisyong may Malasakit’

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has emerged as the leading choice in the ‘top-of-mind’ unaided senatorial preference, according to the latest Publicus PAHAYAG 2025 nationwide survey conducted on October 16-17.

The unaided survey, which asks respondents to name senatorial candidates without providing a list, placed Go at the forefront of officially declared candidates. Go also secured a solid 35% voter preference in the aided portion of the survey, where respondents were shown a list of officially declared senatoriables who filed their candidacies early this month.

This consistent performance across both unaided and aided surveys underscores the senator’s proven track record and trusted position among voters heading into the 2025 national elections.

Go expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him, saying, “nagpapasalamat ako sa tiwalang ibinibigay ninyo sa akin kung kaya’t hindi ko rin sasayangin ang oportunidad na ibinigay niyo sa akin na makapaglingkod sa inyo. Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya nang buong puso na may pagmamalasakit sa kapwa.”

Go’s leadership has been characterized by his advocacy for healthcare as well as on education, youth, sports, disaster resilience, job creation, food security, and public order. These efforts have further solidified his track record in helping bring services closer to the people particularly poor and vulnerable sectors.

Expanding on his lifelong commitment to public service, Go explained that service is not just a responsibility but a core part of who he is.

“Palagi ko ngang sinasabi, ’Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo’. Hindi lamang po ito slogan—ito ay parte ng aking pagkatao. Hindi ako titigil sa pagtulong sa abot ng aking makakaya ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga nangangailangan,” said Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.

“Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Iyan ang aking maiaalay sa inyo — ang kasipagan ko sa pagseserbisyo dahil naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he underscored. 

As Chair of the Senate Health Committee, Go has always prioritized expanding healthcare, particularly through the Malasakit Centers Act, which he principally authored and sponsored. This initiative streamlines access to medical assistance programs and has benefitted over 15 million Filipinos according to DOH data.

To bring health services closer to Filipinos, Go vowed to further pursue the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide and the implementation of Regional Specialty Centers Act he principally sponsored and authored.

Go highlighted the need to ensure that funds intended for health are utilized to protect the health and promote the well-being of Filipinos. Notably, Go has pushed for reforms in PhilHealth to expand its benefits, reduce premium contributions, increase case rates, provide free medicines as well as assistive devices, and update its policies.

His steadfast dedication to further improve healthcare services, especially for poor Filipinos led to the recent scrapping of the Single Period of Confinement Policy and the 24-hour confinement rule while also covering emergency and preventive care.

The senator also places a strong emphasis on food security and the agriculture sector as he calls for more opportunities to encourage the next generation to remain engaged in agriculture. His legislative efforts also include proposals for a national Farmers’ and Fishers’ Pension Fund, improved credit facilities with low-interest loans, and expanded crop insurance coverage to protect against crises such as natural calamities.

In line with his advocacy for worker protection, Go also seeks to improve the rights and welfare of freelancers with his Freelance Workers Protection bill. Additionally, Go’s proposed Food, Grocery, and Pharmacy Delivery Services Protection Act ensures that delivery riders and drivers are protected from unfair practices.

Go has proposed the institutionalization of a Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) which he has already filed in the Senate. The bill seeks to provide temporary employment to economically disadvantaged workers in rural areas. He also continues to advocate for wage increase and the enactment of the Salary Standardization Law 6 to provide salary increases for government employees.

On the education front, Go acknowledges the success of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act signed during the Duterte administration but aims to expand the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) to reach more students.

An essential part of Go’s education agenda is the creation of Mental Health Offices in state universities and colleges as well as in the Basic and Secondary Education levels to provide comprehensive mental health services to students. He is also pushing for the introduction of Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship Subjects in schools, and supports the review of the Continuing Professional Development Law.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, he firmly believes that efforts must continuously be pursued to empower the younger generation, encourage their participation in nation-building, and mold them into productive citizens.

As Chairperson of the Senate Sports Committee since 2019, Go has also been instrumental in shaping the future of Philippine sports. Under his leadership, sufficient support and focus on sports development has resulted in numerous feats such as the country winning its first Olympic Gold medals, hosting the Southeast Asian Games in 2019, as well as other commendable performances by Filipino athletes in international competitions.

He also authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. Additionally, Go principally sponsored and authored the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act which aims to institutionalize a national mini-Olympics to provide aspiring athletes a platform to excel and future Olympians to be discovered.

Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.

Reflecting on his philosophy of public service, Go shared, “Noong ako’y nagseserbisyo kasama si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, palagi kong naririnig na sinasabi n’ya, ‘Just do what is right.’ At ‘yan ang patuloy kong sinusunod. Gawin lang ang tama, unahin ang kapakanan ng mga mahihirap, at hinding hindi ka magkakamali.”