Bong Go | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2019 | |
| Chair of theSenate Youth Committee | |
| Assumed office July 23, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Sonny Angara |
| Chair of theSenate Sports Committee | |
| Assumed office July 22, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Panfilo Lacson |
| Chair of theSenate Health and Demography Committee | |
| In office July 22, 2019 – September 9, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | JV Ejercito |
| Succeeded by | Risa Hontiveros |
| 1stSpecial Assistant to the President | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – October 15, 2018 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Jesus Melchor Quitain |
| Head of the Presidential Management Staff | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – October 15, 2018 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Julia Abad |
| Succeeded by | Jesus Melchor Quitain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go (1974-06-14)June 14, 1974 (age 51) Davao City, Philippines |
| Party | Partido Demokratiko Pilipino |
| Other political affiliations | Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (2021) |
| Spouse | Emmylou Cruz |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Richard Mata (uncle) |
| Alma mater | De La Salle University Ateneo de Davao University (BS) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Official website |
| Basketball career | |
| Personal information | |
| Listed height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Position | Guard |
| Number | 18 |
| Career history | |
| 2018–2019 | Muntinlupa Cagers |
Christopher Lawrence "Bong"Tesoro Go (Tagalog:[bɔŋˈɡɔ]; born June 14, 1974) is a Filipino politician serving as asenator since 2019. He previously served under theadministration of PresidentRodrigo Duterte asSpecial Assistant to the President andHead of the Presidential Management Staff from 2016 to 2018.[1][2] Go served as Duterte'spersonal aide and special assistant from 1998 to 2025, although he focused more on his senatorial duties after his election in 2019.[3][4] Go was reelected to the Senate in 2025, earning the most number of votes in a senate election in Philippine history.
In a 2020 affidavit submitted to theInternational Criminal Court, Go was accused by former policeman-contract killer Arturo Lascañas of being closely involved in the operations of theDavao Death Squad during Duterte's tenure as mayor of Davao City,[5][6][7] although he has denied the allegations.[8]
Go was born on June 14, 1974, to aChinese Filipino family.[9][10] He is the son of Davao-based businessman Desiderio Go[11] andBatangas-native Marichu Tesoro-Go.[12] He is a grandson of August Tesoro, who founded one of the largestprinting companies inDavao City.[13]
Go attendedLa Salle Green Hills during his high school years. He initially took up a management degree inDe La Salle University but transferred to and eventually graduated fromAteneo de Davao University with a bachelor's degree in marketing.[14][15]
Since 1998, Go has served asexecutive assistant andpersonal aide for then-Davao City 1st district RepresentativeRodrigo Duterte. He replaced Duterte's aide who died during a basketball game. Duterte was later electedmayor of Davao City in 2001, vice mayor in 2010, and mayor once again in 2013. Being in charge of both personal and official matters, Go has called himself Duterte's all around utility man.[16][17]
During the2016 election campaign season, Go was often described as the "nationalphotobomber" by the media, for being always in the photos at the side of Duterte in his campaign sorties.[18] He was one of the key people inDuterte's campaign for presidency. On October 15, 2015, Go filed Duterte's certificate of candidacy on Duterte's behalf at theComelec office inManila, for a re-election bid for theDavao Citymayoralty post.[19]
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On June 2, 2016, then-President-electRodrigo Duterte announced the appointment of Go as Special Assistant to the President and is tasked to provide general supervision to the Presidential Management Staff.[20]
During Go's time as Special Assistant to the President, his alleged involvement in thePhilippine Navy's₱16 billion frigate deal was revealed by online news siteRappler. Pertinent documents that linked Go to the deal, detailing how he had interfered with the process, violating several procurement laws when he endorsed a supplier outside the bidding process were released to the public;[21] Go denied the allegations, declaring that he would resign if ever he was proven guilty and said that the media and his critics were endangering national security.[22] Vice Admiral Mercado of the Philippine Navy, who was allegedly sacked for questioning the frigate deal, has cleared Go of any involvement, claiming that Go had never communicated with those who were involved in the deal.[23] Duterte defended Go, saying that "he owns a yacht, therefore he doesn't need to steal in the frigate deal".[24] TheMalacañang also made their stand clear that Go did not intervene.[25] A probe by the Senate regarding the deal was made, but did no further clarifications about Go's role on the deal.[26][27]
During his time as Special Assistant to the President, Go became known for selfies he posted online, saying he values these images as part of his "personal collection".[28][29]
Go made a formal bid for the Senate on October 15, 2018, when he filed his certificate of candidacy accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte and other members of the president's Cabinet. Go's platform for his Senate bid included pledges to build healthcare and social service facilities called "Malasakit Centers" across the Philippines as well as the repeal of the Juvenile Justice law which sets the minimumage of criminal liability at 15 years old. Doubts about his capability to conduct a nationwide campaign was countered by President Duterte, noting that the Tesoros, Go's mother's family, own one of the largest printing firms in Mindanao.[30]
Prior to his formal filing of candidacy, Go has been the subject of allegations of premature campaigning.[31][32][33][34] In relief operations after a fire in Manila, relief goods with "Ready Set Go" branding were distributed alongside government relief goods provided by theDepartment of Social Welfare and Development. Go has repeatedly denied that he was personally involved in the production or distribution of any merchandise, once citing his supporters as producing them without his consent[35] and on one occasion said that it was done under the President's directive.[36] Go also urged his supporters to stop "politicizing" their cause by using his name and likeness. Calls for tarpaulins bearing his image to be removed had made the rounds insocial media.[37]
Go received roughly 21 million votes during theMay 2019 election and was sworn into office after placing third overall; he officially took his seat in the Senate beginning his term on June 30, 2019. On his first months in office, Go had filed several bills including creating a Department of Disaster Resilience,[38] the postponement of the 2020Sangguniang Kabataan elections on the barangay level,[39] and a bill co-authored with fellow SenatorManny Pacquiao reinstating the death penalty for heinous crimes such as illegal drugs, plunder, rape, and murder.[40]
In 2019, Go authored the Malasakit Center Act, which meant to serve as one-stop for easy access to medical and financial assistance needed to receive health care services;[41] the bill was later enacted into law by President Duterte.[42] Amid theCOVID-19 pandemic, Go proposed theBalik Probinsya program, which meant to decongest the overcrowded Metro Manila once the coronavirus pandemic is put under control;[43] the program was institutionalized by President Duterte on May 6 viaExecutive Order No. 114.[44][45] In July 2019, Go called for the creation of a separate department dedicated tooverseas Filipino workers;[46] a law creating theDepartment of Migrant Workers was signed by President Duterte two years later.[47] Go was briefly involved in a controversy on July 17, 2020, when a college student was served asubpoena order by theNational Bureau of Investigation after Go complained of the student sharing a post on social media possibly containing fake news that was critical of Go.[48]
Go advocated for the establishment of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) and the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);[49] he supported the creation of Super Health Centers around the country to help reduce hospital occupancy rates.[50] On October 29, 2021, Go led the opening of the country's 146th Malasakit Center at the Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center in Las Piñas City—reaching a milestone for the said program being the 30th in Metro Manila and the first in the city.[51][52] On September 21, 2021, Republic Act No. 11590, the law legalizingPhilippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), was signed into law by President Duterte. Bong Go voted in favor of the law.[53]
PDP-Laban initially nominated Go to be their presidential candidate, with President Duterte as their candidate for vice president on September 8, 2021.[54] However, Duterte withdrew from his vice presidential bid, and Go filed a certificate of candidacy for the position of vice president instead on October 2, 2021.[55] Fellow senatorRonald dela Rosa then became Go's running mate after dela Rosa unexpectedly[56] filed his certificate of candidacy on October 8.[57]
Dela Rosa later withdrew his bid under the directive of PDP-Laban; Go also followed suit withdrawing his bid for the vice presidency on November 13, 2021.[58] Go then announced that he would be running for president instead, albeit under thePederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) party rather than PDP-Laban; he substituted the candidacy of PDDS' Grepor Belgica, father ofGreco Belgica.[59] Go explained that he withdrew his bid to run for vice president to avoid complicating the campaign ofSara Duterte who launched her own vice president bid underLakas–CMD. Despite officially running for a different party, he vowed to continue to the plans of incumbent President Duterte's administration.[60]
Thefaction ofPDP–Laban led byAlfonso Cusi allowed Go to run under a different party as a bid to avoid complication since the party was under aleadership dispute. The other faction is led byManny Pacquiao andKoko Pimentel, who disputed the legitimacy of Cusi's faction as representatives of the party. Cusi's side anticipated that there would be legal issues had Go substituted the candidacy of dela Rosa as president if theCOMELEC ruled dela Rosa's candidacy as invalid. Cusi's PDP-Laban has adopted and endorsed Go as their presidential candidate for the 2022 election.[61] The Go campaign had no formal vice president candidate since President Duterte had endorsed his daughterSara Duterte as Go's vice president.[62]
On November 30, 2021, Go announced he would be dropping out of the presidential race, saying his heart and mind contradicted his actions, and cited his family's opposition to his move to run as president. He formally withdrew from the presidential race on December 14, 2021.[63][64]
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At the start of the19th Congress in July 2022, Go filed his priority bills seeking to create the Department of Disaster Resilience[65] and requiring the establishment of evacuation centers in all provinces, cities, and municipalities.[66] He also filed bills institutionalizing theDepartment of Trade and Industry'sOne Town, One Product (OTOP) program to improve innovation amongMSMEs;[67] requiring Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers to be established nationwide; creating the Philippine National Games; providing compensation toBarangay Health Workers; and enacting a "Magna Carta for Barangays".[68]
In January 2023, Go—together with senatorsRonald dela Rosa,Mark Villar, andFrancis Tolentino—filed a bill seeking to provide additional benefits to former Philippine presidents for their performance of "post-presidential duties" which include meetings with foreign and local public officials.[69]
In July 2024, former senator and Duterte's staunch criticAntonio Trillanes IV filedplunder charges against Go and former President Duterte, accusing Go of "unduly enriching himself" by allegedly using "his position, authority and influence to corner billions worth of government projects in favor of his father and brother". Trillanes further alleged that Go's father and brother were awarded₱6.6 billion worth of government contracts. Trillanes based his case on aPhilippine Center for Investigative Journalism 2018 report stating that CLTG Builders was awarded₱4.6 billion government contracts while Alfrego Builders, owned by Go's brother, won₱1.74 billion worth of projects. Trillanes also accused Go and Duterte of violating Republic Act No. 3019 (The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Republic Act No. 6713 (The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).[70] In August 2024, Trillanes furthermore filed with theDOJplunder under Republic Act No. 7080 andgraft cases against Go,Rodrigo Duterte, and formerPhilippine Navy chief Vice AdmiralRobert Empedrad regarding what Trillanes claimed as the allegedly anomalous₱16-billion acquisition contract of the Philippines' first twofrigates,BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) andBRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), withHD Hyundai Heavy Industries.[71]
In September 9, 2024, Go changed his position onPhilippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), expressing his opposition to it due to its links with Chinese illegal activities. Go and 17 other senators previously supported POGOs by voting in favor of a law signed in September 2021 by President Duterte that imposed additional taxes[72] on POGOs nationwide.[73][74] Go falsely claimed that he has long been against POGOs, and wasfact-checked and noted his previous support for POGO-related legislation.[75][76]
On October 3, 2024, Go filed his candidacy for the2025 Philippine Senate elections under the Duterte-ledPartido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP),[77] which eventually becameDuterTen. Go would later garnered the most votes and end up to be the top notcher of the election, gaining 27,121,073 votes and 47.29% of the vote.[78] Go pledged to focus on public health.[79]
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In August 2025, it has been alleged that Go's father Deciderio Go owns CLTG Builders (the initials stand for Bong Go's full name, Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go), which facilitated a joint-venture withSarah Discaya's St. Gerrard Construction. which was the top 1 contractor under the Duterte presidency.[80] Go denied these claims.
Go is married to Emmylou Cruz,[81] with whom he has two children.[82][83] His eldest son, Christian Lawrence (Chrence), became acertified public accountant in 2019, placing third in the October licensure exam,[84] and was elected vice mayor ofLupon,Davao Oriental, in2025.[85] He is also a nephew of internet personality and pediatricianRichard Mata, as Go's mother is Mata's cousin.[86]
Beyond politics, Bong Go is also an avidbasketball fan. He has participated in amateur leagues and guested in prominent local basketball events in the country. Go usually watches thePhilippine Basketball Association (PBA). He joined the three-point shooting competition of the2018 PBA All-Star Week. Along with SenatorsSonny Angara andJoel Villanueva, Go was featured in a three-point shoot out exhibition during the2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup which was hosted inBocaue,Bulacan.[87]
Go also joined the roster of theMuntinlupa Cagers in theMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). This move was objected by his critics as using the MPBL as a platform forhis senatorial bid in 2019. Go defended the move saying he just wanted to promote basketball in the country and acknowledged his old age and the superior height of his opponents.[88][89] He rarely played appearing in only one season with the team, as his primary focus relieD on his Senate job and on assisting Rodrigo Duterte.[90]
In 2018, thePhilippine Center for Investigative Journalism published an article on CLTG Builders, which has received more than PhP1.85 billion in public infrastructure projects in theDavao Region from theDepartment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). CLTG's listed owners are the father of Bong Go, Deciderio Go, and his half-brother. CLTG coincides with the initials of Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go. The report indicated that the projects as of 2018 have been unfinished.[91][92] Go denied owning CLTG, and accused the PCIJ report as malicious. Go said "Being related to me does not disqualify them to bid. These projects are publicly bid anyway. I never intervened nor influenced the DPWH on how they bid or award these projects. My office does not control DPWH to begin with."[93] This said despite Republic Act 6713 prevents relatives of public officials from receiving contracts in government projects.[94]
On July 5, 2024, former SenatorAntonio Trillanes IV filed plunder charges at theDepartment of Justice against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Go for their connection in the anomalous awarding of 184 contracts to CLTG Builders and Alfrego Builders, owned by Go's brother, amounting to about PhP6.6 billion. Go and Duterte were accused of violating RA 6713, RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), and RA 7080 (Anti-Plunder Act).[95][96]
As theflood control scandal became the top news in August 2025, news came out that CLTG Builders signed joint venture bids with key contractor St. Gerrard Construction, owned bySarah Discaya, at the DPWH amounting to ₱816.98 million (US$16.59 million) in 2017. The joint venture had five infrastructure projects in Davao. Bong Go's father Desiderio Go signed contracts with DPWH as the "Authorized Managing Officer" and represented the two companies. According to the DPWH database, the five joint projects for road construction have already been completed.[97] Go denied involvement in the projects awarded to CLTG Builders.[98]
On December 18, 2017, various news agencies broke out the rumor thatPhilippine NavyFlag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) VAdm. Ronald Joseph Mercado, who was supposed to serve until his retirement until March 2018, was abruptly relieved by theArmed Forces of the Philippines,Chief-of-Staff, Gen.Rey Leonardo Guerrero. The official confirmation of VAdm. Mercado's relief was issued by the AFP the following day. The AFP Spokesperson Col. Edgar Arevalo informed that the AFP was simply following instructions from higher authorities, and the reasons for VAdm. Mercado's relief will be given in due time. VAdm. Mercado was replaced by RAdm.Robert Empedrad, as Acting FOIC.[99][100]
News would detail that VAdm. Mercado's abrupt relief came after his clash withDepartment of National Defense (DND) officials over the PhP 15.7 billion Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP). The FAP was already signed and awarded during the Pres.Benigno Aquino's administration toHyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the building of two frigates. However, delays in the construction was mainly in the final selection of theCombat Management System (CMS).[101]
The CMS preferred by the Philippine Navy's Technical Working Group (TWG) for the FAP was the Tacticos of Nederlands Thales, as this already had a provenLink 16 operability, which was used by the Philippine Navy and its allies. HHI was pushing for the Hanwha Thales CMS, which was used by theRepublic of Korea Navy. DND SecretaryDelfin Lorenzana would later admit that VAdm. Mercado was relieved due toinsubordination and his causing of the delay in the selection of the CMS, as he was pushing for Tacticos.[102]
ThePhilippine Daily Inquirer however was able to acquire documents where it would prove that Malacanang already had special interest in the FAP as early as January 2017. Sec. Lorenzana sent a note to the Philippine Navy to respond toSpecial Assistant to the President Sec. Bong Go's question on the CMS preference. Lorenzana's letter had an attached unsigned letter from Go, criticizing the selection of Tacticos by the Philippine Navy, and raised the positive features of Hanwha's Naval Shield Integrated Combat Management System (ICMS). Sec. Go's letter also included awhite paper from Hanwha.[103]
Former PMS UndersecretaryLloyd Christopher Lao would confirm the authenticity of Sec. Go's letter to Sec. Lorenzana, and it was normal procedure for their office to take action when they receive a complaint. The complainant in this case at the OSAS and PMS was HHI over the preference of the Philippine Navy for Tacticos. USec. Lao would also confirm that they have invited RAdm. Empedrad, who at that time was the chief of the TWG of the FAP, toMalacañang Palace to provide clarification on the matter.[104]
The fallout would put Go's influence and Lao's actions under scrutiny, causing the relief of a career naval officer, VAdm. Mercado. President Duterte would extend himself and defend Go from the issue. Go offered to resign, but Duterte refused this. VAdm. Mercado would later defend Go and say he never had any discussion with Go over Hanwha or the FAP.[102][105][106]
During theCongressional hearing of August 2021 on the Covid-19 pandemic government procurements, Probinsyano Ako Cong. Jose Bonito Singson questioned Lao on his involvement in the FAP fiasco. Lao denied knowing anything about the issue twice. Cong. Singson presented a letter written by Lao to the RAdm. Empedrad on the CMS procurement. Lao would correct himself, confirm he wrote the letter, and admit that he was involved in the FAP mainly to address the complaint of the HHI.[107][108]
On August 6, 2024, former SenatorAntonio Trillanes IV, a formerPhilippine Navy officer, filed a plunder case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Bong Go, Defense USec. Raymundo Elefante, former Navy FOIC VAdm. Empedrad, and Lao.[109][110]
During the 2024House of RepresentativesQuad Comm Hearing, retired Police ColonelRoyina Garma disclosed that there was an existence of theDavao Death Squad (DDS), and that Bong Go who was then a special assistant to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had his owndeath squad. She said that Duterte would providepublic funds from the Davao City government running in the millions to Go for a reward system. This would also corroborate the testimonies submitted to theInternational Criminal Court by former Davao policeman Arturo Lascañas andEdgar Matobato. Lascañas would testify that Go beginning 1999 himself would hand the death squad leaders the reward money. He also claimed that Go would receive information on the target from theLand Transportation Office in Davao. During Garma's confession, she admitted to the Quad Comm that she and herPhilippine National Police Academy classmates met with Duterte before his ascendancy to the Presidency, and they received the marching orders to implement the"Davao Model" for thePhilippine drug war. TheDavao Model would be the utilization of a reward system for every suspected drug personality killed during the drug war. Go would deny these allegations.[111][112][113][114]
Lascañas would also disclose that Duterte provided the funds to the Davao Death Squad through theghost employees of Davao City. The COA took note in 2015 that Davao government had 11,000 ghost employees.[112][115][116] Former policeman Jovie Espenido would also confirm that Go handed them reward money from Duterte for any and all confirmed kills in Davao.[117]
Sen.Bato dela Rosa on October 14, 2024, would disclose that Duterte mainly gave additional allowance to policemen in Davao and there was no reward system.[118]
Former President Duterte would attend the Quad Comm hearing on November 11, 2024, and would admit to a reward system saying it was "natural" for a mayor to do this. He didn't disclose the source of the funds but confirmed this was from "confidential funds." Later he would admit that these were from surpluscampaign funds. Duterte also confirmed being involved in thekilling of 6 individuals.[119][120]
On December 18, 2024, the Quad Comm recommended filing charges ofcrimes against humanity against Duterte, Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Bato dela Rosa, former PNP ChiefsOscar Albayalde,Debold Sinas, Royina Garma,Edilberto Leonardo, and Garma's aide Irmina "Muking" Espino.[121]
On June 11, 2025, two weeks before the close of the19th Congress, the QuadCom came out with the report providing for further investigation of Go and other personalities, such as former Presidential SpokespersonHarry Roque, andAlice Guo, for their involvement in a reward system during the Duterte drug war.[117]
On February 13, 2026, the ICC included Go among eight indirect co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case against president Duterte during the Philippine drug war.[122]
| Year | Office | Party | Votes received | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Swing | |||||
| 2019 | Senator of the Philippines | PDP-Laban | 20,657,702 | 43.68% | 3rd | N/a | Won | |
| 2025 | PDP | 27,121,073 | 47.29% | 1st | +3.61 | Won | ||
[Arturo] Lascañas claimed that [Bong] Go would collect personal identification data from a certain 'Mr. De Guzman' at the Davao City Land Transportation Office (LTO) that includes details such as the target's home address and type of vehicle.
To recall, [Arturo] Lascañas said there were three of them, who were Duterte's trusted insiders in the Davao Death Squad: himself, SPO4 Sonny Buenaventura, and [Bong] Go who he recalls entered into the picture sometime late 1990s.
The entry above on Bong Go is found on page 10, the first time his name was mentioned, the beginning of the uncountable times he is mentioned as a principal of the DDS [Davao Death Squad] killings in Davao City.
What this colleague is not aware of is that Bong Go's mother, Marichu Tesoro, is a native of Batangas, which Dr. Jose P. Laurel was.
Totoo po 'yung nakita niyo
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Media related toBong Go at Wikimedia Commons| Political offices | ||
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| New office | Special Assistant to the President 2016–2018 | Succeeded by Ferdinand B. Cui Jr. asOfficer in Charge |
| Preceded by Julia Abad | Head of the Presidential Management Staff 2016–2018 | Succeeded by |
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