Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa declared that he is “in for a big fight” and that he “will never run away from a fight” should Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio stand firm in her decision that she won’t join the presidential race, Dela Rosa also disclosed that it has been his dream to become the president of the republic.
But he has kept mum about this dream until he was asked by the leadership of the Cusi faction in the PDP-Laban to file a certification of candidacy (COC) two hours before the Comelec’s deadline for its filing.
Being a good soldier, Dela Rosa, the former PNP chief and Bureau of Prisons director, acceded and” did not ask any questions.”
According to Dela Rosa, he knows in his heart that he could likely be the party’s standard-bearer only until Nov. 15, the last day for the filing of substitution of candidates.
“As far as I know, I am the standard-bearer only until Nov. 15 because I am willing to give way to Mayor Sara if she decides to run,” assured Dela Rosa
President Rodrigo Duterte and the PDP-Laban Cusi group, led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi are set to launch the ‘BaGo’ 2022 caravan.
“The faction will roll out its caravan for the presidential candidacy of Dela Rosa with Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as his vice president, dubbed as the “BaGo” tandem, in the May 2022 elections,” said PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag, adding that “what is important right now is we will roll out the caravan starting this week.” also said.
Matibag disclosed Dela Rosa has been one of the choices to be the party’s standard-bearer and his selection went through the proper process.
“Months ago even and even before the process started, when President Duterte was being pushed to the vice presidency, Senator Bato was among the choices to be a standard-bearer. We went through the process. It might look like a surprise or a last-minute decision, but we didn’t forego the process, “ explained Matibag.
Asked about his edge against the other presidential candidates, Dela Rosa said that he is from an unknown family but he comes with a clean heart.
I am virtually unknown. I come from an unknown family. All I can only say is that I come with a clean heart. My heart is clean in giving service and I am not a hypocrite,” Dela Rosa said.
“Right now, I even believe that right now, if there will be a survey, I might be the tailender. No problem with that. But still, I will not surrender. I am here for one big fight,” Dela Rosa said.
He believes that his lack of “leadership governance” will not hamper his running the country in case he wins the presidency. He related a great example former President Fidel Ramos who was elected to the country’s highest post after coming from the military.
Matibag added that Dela Rosa is being received well as early as now by the ruling party’s supporters.
