Bong Go withdraws from 2022 presidential race: 'Di ko pa po panahon sa ngayon'
Senator Bong Go, President Rodrigo Duterte's former aide, has withdrawn his bid for president for the upcoming 2022 national elections on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
The senator, who had Duterte's support for the presidency, said he did not want the president to get caught in the middle of next year's events.
"Ayaw rin talaga ng aking pamilya kaya naisip ko siguro na hindi ko pa panahon sa ngayon. Ayaw ko rin pong lalong maipit si Pangulong Duterte. Higit pa po sa tatay ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya," Go said.
"Matanda na ho siya at marami na siyang nabigay sa bayan kung kaya't ayaw ko na dagdagan ang kanyang problema," he added.
Go initially filed his candidacy for the vice presidential seat in October but later substituted for the country's top post after the president's daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio announced her VP run.
Duterte-Carpio was later declared as presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos' running mate to the dismay of her father.
Showing his disapproval for Marcos, the president has taken digs against the late dictator's son, calling him "spoiled" and a "weak leader" on Nov. 19.
Go, Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan's standard-bearer, has yet to file his withdrawal as Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said, "The Law Department currently has no authority to accept any filings, considering today is a holiday."
The senator will need to make a personal appearance to formalize his dropping from the presidential race.
Jimenez also said that there will be no substitution for Go since it would be a voluntary withdrawal.
