MANILA -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte today opened up about the 'origin story' of his most trusted aide, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go during his press briefing in Malacanang.
“Ang istorya niyan, my original aide de camp was a military man. This was when I was a mayor. While they were playing basketball, yung aide ko, na-stroke, namatay.
Doon sa hospital nag-abot kami (ni Bong Go). He offered, ‘kung gusto mo mayor, ako na lang muna, for the mean time.’"
But, Duterte added, he was already close to Go's family through the latter's grandfather.
"Yung kabarkada ko, lolo niya. ‘Yung may-ari ng Tesoro printing. That’s the biggest printing company in Davao,” Duterte said.
(He has been a faithful assistant. The story here is that when I was a mayor, my original aide de camp was a military man. While they were playing basketball, my aide had a stroke and died. In the hospital, we (Bong Go and I) met each other. He offered, ‘If you want, mayor, I can be your aide for the meantime.’ But I was already a close friend of his grandfather - the one who owns the Tesoro printing. That’s the biggest printing company in Davao.)
During the same press briefing, President Duterte said that Go should run in the 2019 senate race, adding that he will be a "friend" in the senate.
"You’ll have a friend there sa senate, makakabiruan ninyo. Miski yung biscuit at pangkape, mayroon siya sa opisina,” President Duterte said.
(You will have a friend there in senate, someone to joke around. Even if it's just biscuits and coffee, he will have it for you in his office.)
For his part, whenever Go is asked about his plans for 2019, he has been consistent in saying that it is only President Duterte who can make him decide to run.
“Unang-una kailangan ko pa mag-dasal. Pangalawa, syempre ang desisyon po ng ating Pangulo,” Go said in a recent radio interview.
(First, I have to pray. Second, we have to wait for the decision of the president.)
But if you ask the President, he believes it is a forgone conclusion. "I think Bong is running. Anything can happen, but I believe that he is really running."
President Duterte assures to protect performing soldiers
President Duterte assures to protect performing soldiers
By
Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN
CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- “If it is in the performance of your duty and you face
charges, criminal and all, you need not worry. I will take the blame personally
and I will protect you. And I would never, never allow you to go to jail,” said
President Rodrigo R. Duterte as he addressed the officers, enlisted men and
other personnel of the 401st Infantry Brigade (IB) and 402nd IB, Philippine
Army.
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President
Rodrigo Duterte leads the donning of ranks to the newly promoted uniformed
personnel to next higher rank of the 401st and 402nd Infantry Brigades during
his visit to Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on
September 29, 2018. Gold Cross and Silver Wing Medals were also awarded to
deserving servicemen. (PIA-Caraga)
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This
he conveyed during the traditional “Talk to Troops” held on September 29 at the
covered court of Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong, 401st Infantry Brigade, Brgy. Awa
in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
“We
have accomplished a lot since I started this journey more than two years ago.
Yet there is still much to do. I assure you that you are not alone in this
fight as long as you perform your mandate in accordance with law, this
admin remains steadfast in supporting
your organization and provide you with the necessary tools and resources that
would enable you to perfectly fulfill as defenders of the nation,” said the
President.
President
Duterte also noted that he has seen the hard work, dedication and bravery of
the men and women of the Eastern Command in maintaining law and order in their
operations and for their wonderful performance.
"Maganda
ang pinakita ninyo sa bayan and I give you my salute,” said President Duterte.
President
Duterte further enumerated the relentless efforts of these soldiers for they
have neutralized, apprehended, and facilitated the surrenders of the regulars,
Militia ng Bayan members, Sangay ng Partido Lokal members, and more than 500
underground mass organization members that led to the recovery of hundreds of
firearms and explosives and the discovery of enemy encampments.
“Your
steadfast support in the campaign against illegal drugs has not only resulted
in the confiscation of shabu worth over PhP11 million but also led to the
neutralization of drug personalities, securing the provinces of Agusan del Sur
and Surigao del Sur,” the President said.
Also,
President Duterte acknowledged the cooperation of the troopers with the
concerned government agencies especially in the implementation of martial law
in Mindanao.
“These
accomplishments, however came at a price. Many have been wounded and lives have
been lost. I share my grief with you. I, together with the Filipino people are
truly grateful for the gallantry of our wounded and fallen comrades, and
encourage our troops to continue to make great sacrifices to defend our land,
uphold peace, and secure the freedom we now enjoyed,” said the President.
As
mentioned further by the President in his speech, he emphasized that performing
a duty for the nation is a noble job.
“I
will not allow a single soldier to stay in prison even for one day. That is my
promise to you. We will see to it that the nation that we hand over to our
children is one that is more stable, harmonious and progressive. I therefore,
ask each of you to continue doing your part so that we may soon realize our
aspiration for a lasting peace and stability across the nation. Maraming
salamat at mabuhay ang 401st Brigade. Saludo ako sa inyo!” the President added.
Upon
the arrival of the President at the 401st Infantry Brigade, he was ushered by
Philippine Army officials to view the 196 recovered firearms by the 401st IB
and 402nd IB.
Meanwhile,
the President also personally led the donning of ranks to the newly promoted
uniformed personnel to next higher rank. Gold Cross and Silver Wing Medals were
also awarded to deserving servicemen.
After
his engagement at the 401st IB, the President proceeded to the Philippine
National Police-Police Regional Office (PNP-PRO) 13 hospital at Camp Rafael C.
Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City to visit a police officer who was wounded in
an encounter. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Army troopers seize propaganda materials in SurSur town
By
Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG
CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 10 -- The Army troopers have confiscated several
propaganda materials of the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists in Carmen,
Surigao del Sur, an official said.
Captain
Francisco P. Garello Jr., civil military operations officer of the 36th
Infantry Battalion (IB), said that 28 books espousing Mao Ze Dong thoughts, 392
news magazines of “Ang Bayan”, and 195 news magazines of Lingkawas were seized
at Sitio Igis-igis, Brgy. Cancavan, Carmen on October 8.
Garello
said they received a tip from a concerned citizen in the barangay that a
contraband supposedly coming from the Communist Party of the Philippines
(CPP)-NPA was dropped-off and ready for pick up.
“These
reading materials coming from the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) are vital
indicators that they are recruiting in the barangays. They used these materials
to shape the heart and minds of the people so that they could entice them to
join their group,” he said.
Meanwhile, 36IB commanding officer Lt.
Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said the discovery of the contraband reading materials
is a manifestation that the community does not want the CNTs in their
community. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Tagalog News: DOST, siniguradong hindi maaapektuhan sa pagbabawas
ng budget ng 2019 ang mga proyekto sa Caraga
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, Okt. 10 (PIA) - Bagamat may pagbawas sa budget na nakalaan sa Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) sa taong 2019, binigyang diin ni Secretary
Fortunato Dela PeΓ±a na hindi maaapektuhan ang anumang ongoing scientific
research projects ng departmento.
Ito
ang nilinaw ni Secretary Dela PeΓ±a sa isang press conference sa lungsod ng
Butuan kamakailan.
Dagdag
pa ni Secretary Dela Pena, bumaba sa P19.8-billion na budget para sa taong 2019
mula sa P21.23-billion na budget nito sa 2018. Paliwanang ni Secretary Dela
PeΓ±a, ang research projects ay madalas na multi-year, at nakalaan na ang budget
para dito.
Positibo
rin si Secretary Dela PeΓ±a na mas mapapaigting pa ang kanilang partnership
kasama ang Commission on Higher Education (CHED) bunsod ng pagtaas din budget
para sa scholarship grants.
Ipinahayag
naman ni DOST Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga, na patuloy ang
implementasyon ng kanilang mga programa at proyekto kabilang na dito ang
Starbooks – ang kauna-unahang science digital library sa bansa; Set Up –
S&T Innovations for Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); Project
STORRM; at Eco-Sep Technology. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
