PRRD’s choice in the 2022 presidential elections, Senator Bong Go, announced his withdrawal from the race. On the sidelines of Bonifacio Day celebrations in San Juan City reading a prepared statement, Go made the announcement in a chance interview on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Go said he would be withdrawing his 2022 bid citing his family’s resistance to a presidential run and how his heart and mind were contradicting his actions. Echoing his earlier pronouncements Go added,” For now, I’m ready to sacrifice for the country and President Duterte, perhaps it’s not time for me to be president”. The senator said he did not want the 76-year-old Duterte to strain himself just to campaign for him in 2022.
Duterte’s long-time aide, The senator had made earlier hints that he was mulling withdrawing his candidacy, saying he was in a “state of shock” over the developments ahead of 2022. He had first filed to run as vice president under the ruling PDP-Laban Cusi faction but withdrew that candidacy after Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, announced she was running for vice president under Lakas-CMD.He eventually filed as president under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan via substitution. Go remains a national official as his term as senator ends in 2025. As of posting, PDP-Laban, which Duterte chairs, has yet to release a statement on Go’s withdrawal.
