The Duterte bloc, united PDP Senators declared on Friday that they remain committed to their decisions, principles, and causes they advocate for.
According to Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, their common ground is the reason why they continue to be unified in the Senate’s minority bloc.
On September 9, 2025, a new Senate Minority bloc was formed following a leadership change that saw Vicente Sotto III replace Francis Escudero as Senate President.
The new minority is composed of nine senators: Alan Peter Cayetano, who was also named the new Minority Leader; Francis Escudero, the former Senate President; Joel Villanueva, the former Majority Leader; Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
The reorganization occurred just one day after the leadership shift.
“Pagkatapos na pormal na maihalal si Sen. Tito Sotto na Senate President, nagbigay-galang ako sa kanya at sa ilang mga kasamahan niya sa Majority bloc upang ipahiwatig ang aking willingness to cooperate and work with them bilang kapwa senador kahit na may pagkakaiba kami sa opinyon sa iilang mga bagay,” Go said.
Go clarified that he never said he wanted to join the majority bloc. He said by the time they spoke, the fight was over, enough votes were cast, and Sotto was elected as the new SP.
“Kilala niyo ako, mula noon hanggang ngayon, hinding hindi ko ugaling mang-iwan. Trabaho at serbisyo ang focus ko, hindi pulitika. Palaging mananaig sa akin kung ano ang makabubuti sa sambayanang Pilipino na aking pinagsisilbihan,” Go said.
“Hindi rin naman nila kami kinausap prior to the change in leadership upang hingin ang aming suporta kaya walang punto o katotohanan na ninais kong pumirma in favor sa kanila. Ang pagpapakumbaba ko sa harap nila ay sumisimbulo lamang ng aking pagnanais na maiwasan ang away-pulitika dahil hindi ito nakakatulong,” he added.
Go also admitted that he appealed if he could not be replaced as chairperson of the Committee on Health, but it was not granted, and they decided to give it to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
“Nirerespeto ko iyon kahit na nakakalungkot pero ganyan talaga ang buhay. Patuloy pa rin naman nating isusulong na maisaayos at mailapit ang serbisyong kalusugan sa mga Pilipino,” he said.
Go assured that no matter what happens in the world of politics, his principles and stance will not change, especially what he learned from former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya at umaasa ako na sana ay magkaisa na tayo para sa ikabubuti ng bansa,” he said.
