Senator Bong Go’s absence from The Hague, despite being Rodrigo Duterte’s most loyal aide, is striking—and politically telling.

While Duterte’s family, allies like Robin Padilla, Harry Roque and even fringe personalities like Maharlika and that insignificant Brit have made appearances in the Netherlands — with Senator Bato on his way — Go has remained notably distant. His silence and physical absence, in contrast to his once-constant shadowing of Duterte, suggest a calculated pivot.

With the 2028 presidential elections looming—and Go emerging as a frontrunner after topping the recent senatorial race—his avoidance may be strategic. Aligning too closely with a detained former president under ICC scrutiny could alienate moderate voters or international partners.

Go’s brand of loyalty may now be measured in optics, not proximity. As he seeks to broaden his appeal beyond Duterte’s base, he may be deliberately distancing himself from an increasingly controversial figure. The question isn’t whether Go has abandoned Duterte—but whether he’s repositioning himself as more than just Duterte’s man.