FILE Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Saying he is not a “trapo” or a traditional politician, and certainly not thick-faced, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday admitted being hurt by false allegations being thrown at him.
Despite the last-minute decision to file his certificate of candidacy for president last Friday, Dela Rosa said he is ready to face all issues during the campaign.
“Yup, ready ako. Hindi naman ako trapo na talagang kapalmuks pagdating dyan sa mga batuhan na ganyan,” he said in an online interview with reporters on Monday. “Still, apektado pa rin tayo dahil tao lang tayo. Normal lang yan na masaktan pag inaa-accuse ka ng mga hindi totoo na akusasyon just to ruin your reputation lalong-lalo nat madadamay yung pamilya mo, masasaktan ka pa rin talaga.”
(Yes, I’m ready. I’m not a trapo that is really thick-faced when it comes to mudslinging… We still affected because we are just human. It’s normal to feel hurt when you get accused of lies, wrongful allegations just to ruin your reputations which also affect your family. You will really feel hurt.)
“But still in my desire to lead this country, I’m going to take on the challenge,” the senator added.
While talks of presidential daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio taking his place linger, Dela Rosa stressed that he is serious about running for president.
“I want to lead this country. Gusto kong pamunuan itong bansa. Yan ang ating desire,” he said, adding he would continue the programs of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.
(I want to lead this country. That’s really my desire)
“It is inscribed in my heart, yung lahat ng programa ng Pangulong Duterte. I’m wiling to live and die with that program,” he claimed.
The senator also believes he has a “fighting chance” of winning the presidency.
Asked about his edge over other rivals, he pointed to the public’s “appreciation” of his performance when he was still the police chief.
“And it’s a lasting impression, good or bad yan. Yung may bad impression sa akin, long lasting pa rin yun. Pero yung may good impression sa akin, which translated in 19 million votes, na alam ko I can still have those 19 million votes kung gusto pa nilang ipagpatuloy ko yung ginagawa ko noon,” he said.
(And it’s a lasting impression, whether it’s good or bad. Those who have bad impression on me, that’s still long lasting. But those who had good impression on me which translated in 19 million votes, I know I can still have those votes if they want me to continue what I had done before.)
Dela Rosa will be joining a six-corner fight along with fellow Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos in the 2022 presidential derby.