Press Release - Bong Go calls on government to ensure resources are used properly to benefit Filipinos in need; condemns alleged misuse of programs to push for People's Initiative

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go attended the Senate hearing conducted by the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation on Tuesday, January 30, on alleged bribery to garner signatures for the People's Initiative to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

"Sa Senate hearing na ginanap nitong Martes, maraming testigong tumindig upang isiwalat ang panunuhol at panlilinlang na ginawa sa kanila kapalit ng pirma sa People's Initiative. Kung totoo ito, klaro na hindi ito tunay na People's initiative!," Go said after attending the hearing and listening to the accounts of key witnesses who participated.

"Ang hindi rin katanggap-tanggap dito ay ginagamit pa raw ang mga programa ng gobyerno para tulungan ang mga mahihirap bilang kapalit para makakuha ng pirma sa pekeng People's Initiative na ito," he added.

The senator expressed his firm stance against what he perceives as a deceptive maneuver to alter the nation's charter.

"Para sa akin, kailangang protektahan ang ating Konstitusyon, ang Senado bilang isang institusyon, ang interes ng ating mga kababayan, ang demokrasya sa ating bansa, at ang tunay na boses ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino!" he asserted.

"Sa mga pasimuno nito, huwag ninyong pagsamantalahan ang kahinaan ng mga Pilipino dahil sa kahirapan. Naghihirap na nga, pagsasamantalahan pa at gagamitin pa ang pirma nila sa pulitika!," he added.

During the hearing, some witnesses shared that they were approached by individuals and groups to ask for their signatures in exchange for commitments that they will receive assistance from the government without fully explaining to them that they are already signing a petition for the People's Initiative.

"Huwag ninyong gamitin ang ayuda bilang kapalit sa kanilang pirma dahil dapat walang kapalit ang tulong ng gobyerno sa nangangailangang mga Pilipino," Go explained.

"Kaya po sa ating mga kababayan, kung kayo ay pumirma sa isang bagay na hindi lubos na ipinaintindi sa inyo ang kahulugan, o di kaya ay na-realize ninyo na hindi kayo sang-ayon sa inyong nilagdaan, mayroon kayong karapatan na bawiin ito habang may panahon pa," he urged.

Earlier, Go and his fellow senators donned white attire and armbands on January 29,