It’s not an exaggeration to say that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s special assistant Christopher “Bong” Go is everywhere.
He was recently featured in a rap video, his image appeared on cell phones distributed at a Malacañang Palace event, and the staff at a popular gym in Pasig announced their support for him on Facebook.
And yesterday, he appeared at the inauguration of the Philippine General Hospital’s (PGH) Malasakit Center, which aims to provide medical assistance to patients in need.
As Duterte’s assistant, it’s not really alarming that he’s there but netizens weren’t happy that his posters were plastered all over the hospital.
Physician Gideon Lasco posted what he called Go’s “campaign materials” at the PGH on his Twitter account yesterday, and wrote: “What a shame! I’m calling on hospital and university officials to take these down immediately!”
Campaign material of Bong Go all over the Philippine General Hospital today. What a shame! I’m calling on hospital and university officials to take these down immediately! pic.twitter.com/CS2F3hcNPR
— Gideon Lasco (@gideonlasco) September 12, 2018
And it doesn’t end there. There were health cards distributed at the center which showed an image of Go, along with Duterte.
Proof? A tweet by no less than the University of the Philippines Manila, which manages the PGH, showed the cards.
The tweet also has photos of Go with other government officials doing the fist-raised pose, a controversial salute that many Duterte supporters are fond of doing.
Malasakit Center at UP-PGH (12 Sept 2018): The Center is “one-stop-shop” of govt. agencies which will provide medical attention to patients who need financial assistance. (L-R: PA Michael Dino, DOH Sec. Francisco Duque, SAP Bong Go, Dir. Gap Legaspi, DSWD Usec. Isko Moreno) pic.twitter.com/JejlZBUCO5
— UP MANILA (Official) (@UPManilaOnline) September 12, 2018
Now, it used to be that politicians were not allowed to engage in premature campaigning but the Supreme Court decided in 2009 that politicians found guilty of it will no longer be held liable.
Still, some netizens didn’t like seeing Go’s mug all over the PGH. As a public hospital, the PGH is a place where mostly poor Filipinos seek medical help. It’s a generally well-respected institution, and even the controversy which pitted it against broadcaster Ramon Tulfo left its reputation unsullied.
But this episode left some people disappointed with the PGH — and Go, too.
One Mike Bilan wrote: “I saw this morning, the one putting up the posters was wearing the PGH ID. Some of his [Go’s] staff brought Jollibee [angry emojis].”
He also added the hashtag #trapo, which is the Filipino word for a dirty piece of rag. It’s also short for “traditional politician,” which is what Filipinos call politicians (or in Go’s case, a wanna-be politician) who try to get publicity out of every event or project that they get involved in.
Nakita ko po na kinakabit kaninang umaga, naka-PGH ID rin yung nagkakabit! May dala pang mga pa-Jollibee yung staff niya 😠😠 #Trapo pic.twitter.com/lpqax20HQK
— Mike Bilan (@michaelbilan) September 12, 2018
Wrote @jo2velasquez: “And the PGH just left them [banners] there. Don’t do that Bong Go!”
at hinayaan lang ng admin ng PGH..wag naman dyan Bong Go! pic.twitter.com/ne5KfBNGYM
— Poknatz19 (@jo2velasquez) September 12, 2018
One person used the controversy to ask people to sign a petition calling for the removal of Go’s campaign materials.
Sign the Petition https://t.co/vJptiwzYuW
— japh valenzuela (@japhvalenzuela) September 12, 2018
Another netizen shared a billboard showing Go’s face and asked where his campaign funds were coming from.
And this can be seen in an LED ad along a busy CDO City highway. And take note, it has been showing for many months now even before he was saying he is not running. Who is financing? Charge to the discretionary funds? #NoToBongGo pic.twitter.com/LpPyRDI167
— Agnes (@darl_dl) September 12, 2018
Coconuts Manila has contacted the PGH to get their statement about the controversy but they have not responded as of posting.
Should the PGH allow Go or any candidate to put up their banners in their premises? Let us know by commenting below or tweeting to @CoconutsManila.
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