Pacquiao bats for ‘Bato’ inclusion in admin’s 2019 Senate slate

PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
EDWIN BACASMAS / INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

If Senator Manny Pacquiao were to ask, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa should be included in the senatorial line up of the administration in 2019.

Pacquiao gave Dela Rosa’s name when reporters asked on Tuesday whom he thinks should be included in the PDP-Laban’s senatorial slate.

“Well para sa akin si General Bato. Pwedeng mag serbisyo yan, nakita naman natin yung sinsiridad to serve. Nandyan yung toong puso nya. Yan kung magdesisyon sya…” the senator said.

(For me, it is General Bato. He can serve and we have seen his sincerity to serve. He has a heart, in every decision he makes.)

Asked if Dela Rosa had mentioned to him his interest to seek a Senate seat, Pacquiao said: “Wala pa naman (There’s none).”

Last May, the chief PNP had reportedly expressed openly his interest to run for senator.

“Hindi po ako plastic na tao. Ako ay gusto na maging senador din ako,” Dela Rosa said in an interview over DZMM radio.

“Hindi ko sinabi agad directly na ako ay tatakbo. Ang akin lang, kung makakatulong ako sa bayan sa pamamaraan ng pagiging senador, why not (I am not saying directly that I will run. For me, if I can help for the nation in a way of me being a senator, why not)?” he said.

READ: Dela Rosa open to running for Senate seat

But Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, president of PDP-Laban, said he could not comment on Dela Rosa’s possible inclusion in the slate since the latter is not a party member.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier endorsed Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque as among those he wanted to be included in the lineup.

Asked about Uson’s inclusion in the slate, Pacquiao said it would be up to the people to choose their leaders and whatever their decision is should be respected.

“I can’t judge no, hindi ako pwedeng maghusga ng ibang tao pero matalino naman yun, may pinag aralan naman yung tao at huwag nating i-judge at gusto nyang magserbisyo sa taumbayan,” he said of Uson.

(I can’t judge other people but she’s intelligent, she’s educated and we should not judge when she expresses her intention to serve our people.) /jpv