Bato apologizes to ‘idol’ lawmaker
SENATOR’S HARSH REMARKS VS CRITICS

Bato apologizes to ‘idol’ lawmaker

By: - Reporter / @MRamosINQ
/ 05:20 AM August 20, 2024

Bato dela Rosa

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa —Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — A contrite Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday apologized to Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, saying he was not among the lawmakers whom he called “unprincipled” and “opportunistic” for vilifying former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs after previously supporting it.

“I’m very sorry if you reacted that way. I was not referring to you,” Dela Rosa addressed Acop in a hastily called press briefing.

Article continues after this advertisement

“You were never a bootlicker to the Duterte administration. I never heard you sing praises to the war on drugs that we waged … That’s why I was surprised you reacted that way,” he said.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Bato lashes back at drug war supporters-turned-critics

The senator said he has “high respect” for Acop as he considers him and former Sen. Panfilo Lacson his “idols” among Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduates who joined politics after retiring from the police service.

Article continues after this advertisement

Acop is a member of the PMA Class of 1970, while Dela Rosa, Duterte’s closest security aide before becoming the first PNP chief under his administration, is a graduate of the PMA Class of 1986.

Article continues after this advertisement

As for Acop’s remarks calling him the “real opportunist” and Duterte’s “lapdog,” Dela Rosa said he respects the opinion of his “upper class” in the PMA.

Article continues after this advertisement

On Friday, Dela Rosa hit Duterte’s political allies-turned-critics for painting them as “villains” after “singing hallelujah to us.”

Acop responded that Dela Rosa was “the real opportunist” as he “used his ties” with Duterte to seek a Senate post in 2019 after “leading a bloody drug war that targeted the powerless while shielding the powerful.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: House, PMA, Ronald de la Rosa

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.