Ruling party PDP-Laban said that life must go on following the decision of Senator Bong Go to withdraw from the presidential race.
In a statement, PDP-Laban president Alfonso Cusi said that they respect the decision of Go
“The party was correct in endorsing Senator Bong Go. And we thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senator Bong Go for providing the guidance and the strength to move forward,” Cusi said in a statement.
“Whatever reasons Senator Go had in announcing his withdrawal, we respect and honor his resolve and greatly appreciate his intentions behind them: to ensure the country’s welfare. However, ‘life must go on’, the party needs to move forward regardless of the prevailing circumstances,” he added.
Cusi said that they will be discussing the next steps following Go’s decision.
“PDP-Laban basic principles will lead the party in determining the rightful candidate to support because after all, it is not a personality we support, but an opportunity given to someone who will hold the country’s future in his hands,” Cusi said.
“As has been the process, we will consult the party members and our constituents as to our next step and will soon come up with a decision,” he added.
Go on Tuesday announced his decision to back out from the race saying that his family was against it from the start.
He admitted that was compelled to run to follow the wishes of his party PDP-Laban, chaired by President Duterte.
“Napakahirap kung pasan-pasan mo habang nangangampanya ka ay nagre-resist ang pamilya mo, ang puso mo, ang isipan mo, paano ka makakapagkampanya nang mabuti? Kaya ang sabi ko marahil po ay hindi ko pa po panahon,” he told the media.
The President, he said, respected his decision.
