Sen. Bato dela Rosa: I am for Bongbong-Sara ever since

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa. Senate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Over four months after withdrawing his candidacy for presidency, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa joined the campaign of the tandem of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, saying he has supported the tandem “ever since.”

Dela Rosa, who is a member of the PDP-Laban wing that has endorsed the Marcos-Duterte tandem, said he has been transparent that “wherever Inday Sara goes, I go.”

“Before pa naglabas ng decision ang partido namin, I’m already for [Bongbong]-Sara. Sabi ko na yan noon pa. But I cannot go out officially hangga’t di magpalabas ng party stance yung aming partido, lalong lalo na si Pangulong Duterte, so I was silent,” Dela Rosa told reporters at the sideline of the inauguration of the UniTeam headquarters here.

President Rodrigo Duterte serves as the chairman of the PDP-Laban.

“Andito ako ngayon so I have to go out in the open na, public na talaga I’m for [Bongbong]-Sara ever since. Sabi ko naman talaga wherever Sara goes, I go,” he added.

Dela Rosa previously filed his certificate of candidacy to serve as the administration’s presidential bet for the 2022 elections. At that time, he admitted he was a last minute choice for his party.

In the same breath, Dela Rosa said he is willing  to “give way” to Duterte-Carpio should she decide to join the presidential derby.

More than a month after filing his candidacy for president, Dela Rosa withdrew from the presidential race.

Asked about his support for Marcos when he previously filed his candidacy for presidency himself, Dela Rosa said: “Alangan naman tumakbo ako tapos hindi ko suportahan sarili ko, dun pa rin ako kay [Bongbong] diba?”

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JPV