CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion to give its consent to the nominations  and confirm the ad interim appointments of the twenty-four (24) Foreign Service Officials of the Department of Foreign. I am confident that these individuals have demonstrated competence, integrity, and dedication to the service of our country.  

I reiterate my strong support for the nomination of former Sec. ENRIQUE AUSTRIA MANALO, as Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York, USA.  As a former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Former Secretary Manalo is recognized as one of the finest and most distinguished diplomats in the history of foreign service in our country.  He has already served in the foreign service for 45 years,  which only speaks of his competence and unparalleled service. 

Furthermore, I also extend my support to the nominations of the seven (7) ambassadors and ad interim appointments of the other sixteen (16) distinguished Foreign Service Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

To all the new nominees and appointees, gusto ko pong ipaalala na huwag niyong pabayaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga OFWs.  They are our modern-day heroes, kaya dapat lang na protektahan natin ang kanilang kaligtasan at karapatan — saan mang dako ng mundo dahil kayo lamang po ang kanilang malalapitan.  Dapat laging bukas ang inyong opisina sa ating kababayan sa ibang bansa at handa kayong magserbisyo sa kanila 24/7.  As the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, yan lamang po ang panawagan ko sainyo. 

Binabati ko po muli ang ating mga opisyal ng DFA,  congratulations,  at maraming salamat po!

 Mr. Chair, distinguished colleagues, a pleasant day to all of you.  I rise to second the motion to confirm the ad interim appointment of Secretary Sharon Serag Garin as Secretary of the Department of Energy. 

Mr. Chair, this representation has full confidence in Secretary Garin's ability to lead the department.  Her work in the executive branch demonstrated her grasp of the technical and regulatory aspects of the energy sector, while her years in Congress honed her ability to translate policies into meaningful reforms. 

Gayunpaman, Mr. Chair, nananawagan po ako sa bagong Kalihim ng DOE na huwag ipagwalang-bahala ang mga suliranin sa sektor ng enerhiya — lalo na ang kakulangan ng suplay ng kuryente at ang kaliwa't kanang power outages na patuloy na nagpapahirap sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na po sa Davao Oriental.  Kaya naman, we hope that the good Secretary will take concrete action on this matter. 

Mr. Chair, I would also like to ask Secretary Garin to continue to build on the momentum of the previous administration.  Sa katunayan nga po ay noong nakaraang administrasyon, the government was able to secure enough supply of electricity, para maiwasan iyong mga power interruption na ating nararanasan.  The Duterte administration, through the efforts of our fellow legislators in the 18th Congress, has also managed to extend to 30 years, iyong free power subsidy to poor families, and increased the rural electrification rate from 90.7% in 2016 to 94.5% in 2021. 

Sana mas palakasin pa po natin ang mga programa at proyekto na makakatulong at makakapagpaganda sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino.  We need to do whatever it takes to find the solutions for our Filipino brothers and sisters, especially those who have less in life.

Again, you have my full support.  Maraming salamat at mabuhay po kayo!

 Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, allow me to second the motion to confirm the ad interim appointments  and nomination of the Generals, Flag officers, and Senior  Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.   

As Vice Chair of the Committee on National Defense,  I  fully support our brave men in uniform with us today, who  have demonstrated exemplary dedication, bravery, and  commitment to protecting our beloved nation and serving  our people.

Noon pa pong panahon ni former President Duterte, ipinaglaban natin ang inyong entry-level salary increase bilang pagkilala sa inyong sakripisyo para sa bayan. Alam ko pong mahirap ang mapalayo sa pamilya. Hindi po biro ang propesyon na inyong pinili.  Alam kong mahirap ang  mapalayo sa pamilya, lalo na sa mga panahon ng Pasko,  kaarawan, at iba pang mahahalagang okasyon. 

Habang ang iba ay nasa piling ng kanilang mahal sa buhay,  kayo po ay nasa duty, nasa checkpoint, nasa field  operations, o kaya naman ay naka-standby upang  siguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng ating bansa.

Kayo ang palaging nauunang sumaklolo at umalalay sa  ating mga kababayan.  Kayo ang unang dumadating sa  mga lugar na sinalanta ng kalamidad, kayo ang  nagbabantay para walang makalusot na banta, at kayo rin ang humaharap sa panganib na iniiwasan ng karamihan at  patuloy na naglilingkod at handang magbuwis ng oras at  buhay para sa ating mga kababayan. 

Kaya naman po, maraming salamat po sa inyong dedikasyon, sakripisyo, at walang katulad na serbisyo sa  ating mga kababayan.  Isa lang ang paalala ko unahin ang  interes ng bayan, unahin ang interes ng Pilipino.   Thank you,  Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, distinguished members of this Commission, a pleasant day to all of you. I rise to second the motion to confirm the ad interim appointment of Justice Jose Catral ‘Bambit” Mendoza as a Member of the Judicial and Bar Council, representing the Retired Justices of the Supreme Court.  Second term na po niya ito.  

Justice Mendoza’s long and exemplary record in the judiciary for himself, his dedication to upholding the rule of law, his unwavering sense of fairness and his deep understanding of the justice system make him exceptionally qualified to serve once again in this important Body.  

I am confident that you will bring the same integrity, balance and professionalism that defined his many years of public service.  With that, I express my full support to Justice Mendoza as a Member of the Judicial and Bar Council, representing the Retired Justices of the Supreme Court.

Salamat po sa inyong walang pagseserbisyo.  Thank you po, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, allow me to give my short support and for the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of 81 Generals/Flag Officers and Senior Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who are with us today. 

As Vice Chairperson of the Committee on National Defense, I take pride in expressing my full support for our valiant uniformed personnel who have consistently demonstrated exemplary, dedication, bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation’s peace, security and sovereignty.  

Maraming salamat po sa inyong serbisyo sa panahon ng giyera sa Marawi, sa Jolo, mapabagyo, lindol, baha, pandemya.  Lalo na po nung panahon ng pandemya nandidiyan po kayo na nagsasakripisyo kahit na napapalayo sa pamilya, tinutupad n’yo po ang inyong tungkulin bilang isang sundalo.  Maraming salamat pong muli at kayo ang nagbubuwis ng buhay po.  Hindi nababayaran ng kahit anuman po ang inyong serbisyo para sa ating bayan.  

At nung panahon po ni dating Pangulong Duterte pinaglaban po natin na madoble po ang sahod ng entry position ng ating mga sundalo dahil po iyan sa inyong sakripisyo para sa bayan.  Iyon lang po.  Paalala ko lang po sa inyo protect our national sovereignty at unahin po ang interes ng bayan.  Unahin po ang interes ng bawat Pilipino.

Thank you, Mr. Chair at congratulations po sa ating mga sundalo!

“Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, allow me to second the motion to confirm the ad interim appointments of the 70 General, and Senior Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who are present with us today. 

As Vice Chair of the Committee on National Defense, I express my strong support for these officers who have devoted their careers to the service of our country and to the protection of our people. 

Their appointments are a recognition of years of commitment to duty,  discipline, and leadership in safeguarding the peace and stability of our nation. Through their service, they stand at the forefront of protecting our sovereignty and preserving the institutions that uphold our freedom. 

Sa iba’t ibang tungkulin na kanilang ginampanan, ipinakita ng mga opisyal na ito ang kanilang kahandaan na mamuno nang may integridad,  tapang, at malasakit sa bayan,  lalo na sa mga panahong kinakaharap ng ating bansa ang mga hamon sa pambansang seguridad.

Mr. Chair, in supporting these appointments, we affirm not only the competence of these officers, but also our collective confidence in the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a pillar of national security and nation-building.  

Dahil sa kanilang sakripisyo at patuloy na paglilingkod, ang ating mamamayan ay patuloy na nakikinabang sa mga biyaya ng demokrasya   sa kalayaan, kapayapaan, at katatagan ng ating Republika. Alam namin ang hirap na dinaranas ninyo sa ngalan ng serbisyo.  Mapa-bagyo, lindol, baha, pandemya o giyera sa Marawi, patuloy kayong nagtatrabaho para sa ating mga kababayan.  Kaya naman noong panahon pa po ni former President Duterte, ipinaglaban natin na madoble ang sahod ng entry position ng military at uniformed personnel.

Mataas po ang respeto ni dating Pangulong Duterte, na dati ninyong commander-in-chief, sa mga kasundaluhan. Buong puso po niyang ipinaglaban ang inyong kapakanan, ang inyong dignidad, at ang inyong mga pamilya.  

Mr. Chair, distinguished colleagues, today marks the 1st year anniversary of the arrest of former President Duterte. Isang pangyayaring nag-iwan ng malalim na marka at kalungkutan sa puso ng napakaraming Pilipino. Nakakalungkot na hanggang ngayon naka-piit pa rin siya sa ibang bansa, malayo sa kanyang bayan.  

For many Filipinos, former President Duterte was a leader who stood firmly by his convictions and did not hesitate to assert and defend what he believed to be in the best interest of the nation. 

Kaya naman habang kinikilala natin ngayon ang inyong promosyon at ang bagong antas ng pananagutang kaakibat nito, dala rin ninyo ang tiwala  hindi lamang ng institusyon kundi ng sambayanang Pilipino na patuloy ninyong isusulong kung ano ang makakabuti sa ating bansa. 

Muli, maraming salamat po sa inyong dedikasyon, sakripisyo, at walang katulad na serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Isa lang ang paalala ko unahin ang interes ng bayan, unahin ang interes ng Pilipino. 

Thank you,  Mr. Chair.”