Screenshot from Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s interview with Senate reporters. Screengrab / File photo
MANILA, Philippines — While his rivals have started going around the country, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is doing his own preparations for the 2022 presidential race — exercising and doing media interviews.
“Nag e-exercise ako para lalakas yung health,” Dela Rosa said in an online interview on Wednesday when asked how he is preparing for the upcoming elections.
(I’m exercising to improve my health.)
“Alam mo sasabak tayo na very rigorous campaign trail, kelangang condition yung katawan mo otherwise mag bog down ka nyan. Kasama na yan yung katawan ko pinapalakas ko para siguradong pag go na tayo sa ating campaign trail hindi tayo basta bastang magkakasakit.”
(We’ll embark on a very rigorous campaign trail so we have to condition our body. That’s part of my preparation so when we start the campaign we won’t easily get sick.)
Facing the media, he said, is also part of his preparation as he finds it more effective and safe especially at this time of a pandemic.
According to the administration’s standard bearer, giving media interviews gives him wider reach than going around to personally campaign.
Dela Rosa still recognized though the need to be physically present in certain areas especially when the campaign period officially starts in February next year.
Or he could also start earlier, probably after November 15 when the deadline for substitution of candidates lapses.
The senator had no qualms admitting that part of the reason why he has not started going around yet was because he remains hopeful Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio would have a change of heart and later decide to join the presidential derby.
“Kasama na rin yan,” he said, “Pero as of now, alam na natin na kung talagang hindi na sya magbabago, yung kanyang decision, then ready naman tayo, tuloy tuloy na ito. So naghahanda tayo ngayon.”
(That’s part of it. But as of now, we know that if she doesn’t change her decision, then we are ready, we will push through. So we are preparing now.)