Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go
Photo credit : Senate of the Philippines, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
MANILA — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to dominate the 2025 senatorial race, topping multiple nationwide surveys conducted by Pulse Asia, OCTA Research, and Social Weather Stations (SWS) as election day approaches.
Go, who first rose to national prominence as a longtime aide and special assistant to former President Rodrigo Duterte, has consistently ranked first or second in all major pre-election polls. In Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan survey conducted from April 20 to 24, Go led with 62.2% of respondents naming him among their senatorial choices. Similarly, OCTA Research’s final “Tugon ng Masa” poll showed Go statistically tied at the top with ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, with 56.8% of respondents supporting Go and 52.7% favoring Tulfo.
Malasakit Centers and Public Service Branding
Go’s flagship legislative initiative, the Malasakit Centers Act, has become central to his public identity. The law mandates the creation of one-stop shops in government hospitals nationwide to streamline access to financial and medical assistance. As of April 2025, over 160 such centers have been established across the Philippines.
Supporters view the program as tangible proof of Go’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery, especially for senior citizens and low-income patients who often struggle to access public assistance.
Grassroots Presence and Media Visibility
Beyond legislation, Go has built a reputation for high visibility in local communities. He is regularly seen distributing aid to disaster victims, visiting hospitals, and attending public events. This consistent presence has earned him extensive media coverage and strengthened voter recall.
His team also maintains a strong digital footprint, actively sharing updates and engagement content across social media platforms to boost visibility among younger and urban voters.
Consistent Poll Performance
Across all major polling firms, Go is a consistent top performer:
- Pulse Asia (April 2025): 62.2%
- OCTA Research (April 2025): 56.8%
- SWS (April 11–15, 2025): 45% — leading all other candidates
His closest rivals include Erwin Tulfo, Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Pia Cayetano, and former Senate President Tito Sotto—each maintaining solid ground in the top 10.
Election Impact and Expectations
As Filipinos prepare to vote on May 12, Go’s strong polling numbers indicate he is poised to secure another six-year term in the Senate. His performance underscores the enduring influence of Duterte-aligned politics and the value of sustained grassroots engagement in national campaigns.
While some critics suggest his popularity may be tied primarily to goodwill from the previous administration, current survey data show that Go has cultivated broad and stable support across geographic and economic sectors.
The question now shifts from electoral victory to legislative influence—whether Bong Go will continue to play a visible, service-oriented role or assume a larger leadership position in shaping the Senate’s direction in the next Congress.
