MANILA — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he is focusing on his duties in the Senate as the International Criminal Court (ICC) begins hearings on charges linked to the Duterte administration’s alleged campaign against criminals.

“Ahin muna natin ang trabaho,” Go said, adding, “Let’s wait until the confirmation hearing is over. Let’s work first.”

The first day of the confirmation of charges hearing saw ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls present Go as a former aide, special assistant, and key adviser to then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was identified as Davao City Police Office chief during the period under investigation.

According to the Document Containing the Charges (DCC) submitted by the prosecution and released earlier this month, Go, dela Rosa, and others were named as co-perpetrators in a “common plan” to “neutralize alleged criminals” through “violent crimes including murder.”

Asked about his reaction to the proceedings, Go said, “Subaybayan lang po natin. Basta trabaho lang muna ‘ko. Unahin ko ang trabaho ko, meron akong sinumpaang tungkulin bilang senador.” (Let’s just follow what is happening. I just have to work first. I have to put my work first. I have a sworn duty as a senator.)

Go has previously dismissed the allegations, calling them “entirely unfounded, one-sided, unfair, and bear no relation to the reality of [his] roles and responsibilities” during his tenure as Special Assistant to the President from June 2016 to October 2018 and as Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Davao City from 1998 to 2016.