As the president and his faithful aide flew to Tuguegarao to assess the situation in Cagayan Valley, many netizens, including celebrities, have wondered: what is the actual duty of Senator Bong Go?
Radio host and personality Sam Y.G. took to Twitter to ask what is the role of the senator as to why he always accompanies President Duterte wherever he goes. The replies would surely crack you up.
Soooo ano talaga yung role ni Bong Go?
— Sam Gogna (@sam_yg) November 15, 2020
Well known radio host Gino Quillamor answered Gogna’s question by tweeting that Bong Go is the official photographer of the president as well as the one responsible for same day edit (SDE).
“Official photographer. Sya din yata sa SDE,” he wrote.
Official photographer.
Sya din yata sa SDE. https://t.co/EqF59ncqVm
— Gino Quillamor (@ginoboi) November 16, 2020
Even content creator and online personality Macoy Dubs joined the question and answer portion wherein he said that Go’s duty is to become a display.
He wrote, “Display po.”
https://twitter.com/macoydubs1/status/1328176622046875648
Even some netizens tweeted that the senator’s role is to be a watermark. Twitter user @uyamsaPATAL replied to Gogna’s question by posting an edited photo where Jasmine’s face was replaced with Bong Go’s while Aladdin’s was replaced with Duterte’s face with a caption, “Water mark pero base sa picture na to, may something sa kanila.”
Water mark pero base sa picture na to, may something sa kanila. pic.twitter.com/6uQPQ0mNLi
— VadeRetroSatana (@uyamsaPATAL) November 16, 2020
Some even compared the pair to the former administration’s duo, Mar Roxas and former president Benigno Aquino III.
Twitter user @2silangNangIwan tweeted, “Gaya ng Papel ni Mar Roxas nuon kay Noynoy First Lady. Medyo OA version nga lang si BG”
https://twitter.com/2silangNangIwan/status/1327984198372577281
While others say that he is a secretary or just for display, some joked that the senator is Duterte’s First Lady.
Twitter user @yoongbaby0730 replied Gogna by saying, “First lady po talaga sya.”
https://twitter.com/yoongbaby0730/status/1328197323986354176
Twitter user @aeraestrada tweeted, “Pers lady,julalay,taga picture /taga upload,,tanginis sayang pasueldo Ng taong bayan SA mukhang mangkok n yan.”
Pers lady,julalay,taga picture /taga upload,,tanginis sayang pasueldo Ng taong bayan SA mukhang mangkok n yan
— Aeraestrada (@aeraestrada) November 16, 2020
@uhruhrah replied, “Trophy wife.”
https://twitter.com/uhruhrah/status/1328189293668433920
@JesterCarlo06 retweeted a photo with a caption saying, “Pangulo with his First lady/ Photographer and part time job senador BONG GO. #Pangulo #NatutulogBaAngDuts.”
https://twitter.com/JesterCarlo06/status/1327534655931699201
Others were not keen on jokes as they viewed the presence of Bong Go on every picture as a sign of inefficiency.
@TanTanerz_ wrote, “You guys wanna know the reason why Bong Go is always on the photos? He is the SEAL OF INCOMPETENCE.”
You guys wanna know the reason why Bong Go is always on the photos?
He is the SEAL OF INCOMPETENCE. https://t.co/cR8eAzxlIN
— N8 🇵🇭🇯🇵🌸🌱 (@TanTanerz_) November 15, 2020
Even in Congress, senators often forget that Bong Go is a senator. Sen. Richard Gordon mistakenly called him “Secretary Go” during a budget hearing. He, later on, apologized in a sarcastic way by saying “I’m sorry… You speak all the time with the President and [when] you’re there, you act as a secretary. Here, you are a senator.”
Sen. Richard Gordon apologizes for mistakenly calling Sen. Bong Go as “Secretary Go” during a budget hearing.
Gordon: “I’m sorry… You speak all the time with the President and [when] you’re there, you act as a secretary. Here, you are a senator.”
Go takes the gaffe lightly. pic.twitter.com/6sduFm3jHW
— Kat Domingo (@_katrinadomingo) October 8, 2020
While some made fun of the senator’s actual duty, others expressed their concern regarding how active Bong Go as a personal aide to the president, most likely eyeing a 2022 presidency for himself as he has already begun “campaigning”.
Human Rights Activist Francis Baraan IV shared a clip of the politician’s skit as he conducted a comedy show on an evacuation center. He was disgusted as to how the lawmaker berated the Vice President for bringing media to every relief effort while he was also doing the same.
Baraan wrote, “BONG GO, AGA MO MANGAMPANYA! He’s supposed to be at this evac center to give relief goods. Instead, he brought an artista to do this tired, old, lame, insufferable schtick. TAPOS SI LENI NAMUMULITIKA? This is essentially a campaign sortie under the guise of donation. GA-GO!”
BONG GO, AGA MO MANGAMPANYA!
He's supposed to be at this evac center to give relief goods. Instead, he brought an artista to do this tired, old, lame, insufferable schtick.
TAPOS SI LENI NAMUMULITIKA?
This is essentially a campaign sortie under the guise of donation.
GA-GO!😡 pic.twitter.com/lENHm5Y2hi
— Francis Baraan IV (@MrFrankBaraan) November 16, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte, together with Senator Bong Go, flew to Tuguegarao last Sunday to assess the situation in Cagayan Valley. The death toll from Ulysses have reached 69 with 12 missing.
The president also went to Pili, Camarines Sur province, to receive briefings from his Cabinet officials on damage caused by Ulysses and the earlier Typhoon “Rolly” (Goni) in the Bicol region.
