Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net)
“Never akong magpapagamit kahit kanino man. Wala pong makakagamit sa akin, kaya nga sabi ko sa inyo – I have to maintain the objectivity in the conduct of this hearing kasi alam kong dalawang nag-uumpugang pader dito maiipit dito [at] maiipit tayo,” said dela Rosa in a press briefing.
(I will never be used by anyone. No one can use me, that’s why I told you – I have to maintain the objectivity in the conduct of this hearing because I know there are two powerful personalities involved and we will end up in a tough spot.)
“I can never be used, I swear to God. Nobody dictated me. Not even [former] President [Rodrigo] Duterte,” he added.
Dela Rosa’s pronouncement came in light of his panel’s investigation on the “leaked” government documents supposedly linking Marcos and actress Maricel Soriano to illegal drugs.
“Ayaw ko pong masira ang ating gobyerno. Kaya wag mo sabihin na ginagamit ako to oust the President. No! My God!,” he exclaimed.
(I don’t want to destroy our government. That’s why don’t tell me that I am being used to oust the President. No! My God!)
In a separate press conference also on Tuesday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri warned his colleagues not to use hearings “in aid of political persecution.”