Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go congratulated former president Rodrigo Duterte for being this year’s sole recipient of the Datu Bago Award, emphasizing the former president’s profound impact on public service particularly in the development of Mindanao.
The Datu Bago Awards represent the highest accolade by the city government of Davao for individuals who have significantly advanced the city’s development.
“Congratulations po kay former president Rodrigo Duterte for being the lone “Datu Bago 2024 awardee. Alam n’yo, 36 years na pong nanilbihan si Tatay Digong sa Davao City at noon pa bilang OIC (Office in Charge) vice mayor, naging elected mayor, naging congressman, naging three-term mayor again, naging vice mayor, naging mayor… hanggang sa naging pangulo ng bansa,” Go said in an interview during the distribution of assistance to typhoon victims in Malita, Davao Occidental on March 8, 2024.
He underscored Duterte’s unparalleled dedication and service to the Dabawenyos.
“Thirty six years ng kanyang buhay, almost half of his life, na devote niya po sa pagseserbisyo sa Davao City. It’s long overdue, matagal na po ito. At siya po talaga ang pinaka deserving na Dabawenyo na makakuha ng award na ito,” he said.
Go said the former president is his mentor in life and in public service.
Go started in 1998 as the personal assistant of Duterte, who was then Davao City mayor. He also served as Special Assistant to the President from June 30, 2018 to Oct. 15, 2018 before securing a seat at the Senate.
Councilor Pilar Braga, chair of the Datu Bago Awardees Organization (DBAO), emphasized that Duterte’s award is centered on what the former mayor has done in Davao City.
“The organization believes that it is high time and the best time for Dabawenyos to show our appreciation and thanks to our former president. But his award is centered on what he has done mostly in Davao City. Yung pagka-presidente niya bonus na yun. Imagine, he is a guy from Davao City who rose to become a mayor, a vice mayor, a congressman, and the only Dabawenyo and the only Mindanaoan who became president of the Republic of the Philippines,” she said.
