WE CAN see that Sen. Bong Go who was formerly Special Assistant to President Rodrigo R. Duterte has continued doing jobs for the President even if he was already elected senator in the 2019 elections.
In our observation, he spends much time in the Palace and is also seen with the President even at outside functions, including in the latter’s travels.
When the President delivered his message to the nation on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), he was likewise there seated at the end of the table.
It cannot be denied that he is obviously doing some official function for the Palace even if he is now a senator.
How much time does he dedicate to the Senate as lawmaker? How many bills has he filed and what are the laws he has passed ever since he became senator?
Under our democratic system of government, there are four independent departments, namely: 1) the Executive which is headed by the President; 2) the Legislative which is composed by the Senate and the House of Representatives; 3) the Judiciary covering the courts of the land; and the Fourth Estate which is represented by the Press.
The different departments function independently of each other to achieve the ideal of a balanced democratic society that we endeavor to establish.
In other words, if you belong to the Fourth Estate, for example, it is not recommended for you to accept a position in any of the three other departments of government as you will lose your independence in performing your job.
We had great admiration for a true journalist like the late Daniel G. Fajardo, founder of this paper. He never accepted any government job even if he was offered one several times. Moreover, Panay News chooses not to rely on government ads and this strengthened its independence as a member of the Fourth Estate.
When we joined the National Press Club as a member while in Makati a few years ago, we met and interacted with other newspaper/book publishers and editors coming from all over the country. We noted that many provincial newspapers cannot claim to be independent because they rely on government ads, especially those from the Office of the Register of Deeds covering foreclosed assets by banks.
Now, going back to Sen. Bong Go, with due respect, it is our opinion that he cannot work independently as senator and member of Congress if he continues to keep his close ties with the President and is apparently still doing work for him up to now. It appears that he is seen very often with him. Of course there is nothing wrong if they remain personal friends on account of their association for many years, but performing official tasks for the President is another matter.
If Sen. Bong Go would choose to continue serving the President, we recommend that he resign from his position as senator. He should know that there is a conflict of interest for him in always tagging along with the President and performing jobs under the ExecutiveDepartment. He should establish independence and dedicate his full time to lawmaking which is under the LegislativeDepartment.
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GEM OF THOUGHT
Though many of life’s winds may blow,
High against the Light, even if we may glow,
Only as brief as time itself to us entrusts,
We return to what we truly are, we are dust. (For comments or re-actions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com)/PN
