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MANILA – Special Assistant to the President Bong Go is defending the distribution of relief goods with his name on it to fire victims in Legarda, Manila after several netizens criticized it as a form of electioneering. 

Speaking to radio DZMM Thursday, Go said the relief goods were a mix of government aid and donations from his friends in the private sector. 

"Kini-clear ko lang po na iba po yung pribadong ibinigay, at iba po 'yung nasa gubyerno," Go told radio DZMM. 

"May kaibigan po ako na pribado, mga foundation na nagbigay rin ng kanilang goods na naka-color green saka ako naman yung mga sapatos sa programa ko, 'Sapatos ni SAP, Tsinelas ang Ka-Swap', mga nagdo-donate ng sapatos sa mga nasunugan ay nakapatong po doon."

Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President extended assistance to the victims of a fire at Legarda corner Delgado Streets in Sampaloc, Manila on July 3, 2018. Sec. Bong Go/Handout

"Pumunta lang po kami para dalhin ang tulong at iba po itong personal na tumulong tulad ng sapatos ko ibinibigay ko, personal po yung mga damit ko. May mga kaibigan akong nagdo-donate ng mga sapatos at grocery packs, personal po 'yun ng mga kaibigan ko," he added.

The long-time Duterte aide said it was the President himself who sent him there to bring relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health as well as financial assistance.

"Tuwing nagi-speech po ako sa mga pinupuntahan kong mga nasunugan sinasabi ko po – 'ipinadala po ako dito ng pangulo at ito po ay pera ninyo.' Hindi po amin ito," he said. 

Relief goods provided by the DSWD, he said, does not have his or the president's name on it.

"Nakagawian na po ng ating pangulo eversince po sa Davao mga proyekto niya walang pangalang Mayor Duterte. Ayaw niya na gamitin pangalan niya lalo na proyekto ng gubyerno," he said.

Several social media posts earlier criticized the distribution of relief goods with Go's name on it as a form of electioneering. 

Government officials, including lawmakers and Cabinet secretaries, have urged Go to run for senator in the 2019 midterm polls.

'#ReadySetGo' launched for Bong Go's possible Senate bid

For his part, Go said critics should not bar government efforts to help those in need. 

"Nakikiusap lang ako sa mga kababayan natin na bumabatikos na huwag nating ipagkait po sa mga biktima ang tulong mula sa gubyerno at saka sa pribado. Magtulungan na lang tayo," he said. 

He also made an appeal to those using his face on billboards.

"Para wala nang mainggit, ibili na lang n'yo po ng plywood at i-donate sa mga nasunugan po. Mas makakatulong pa tayo," he said.

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