FILE PHOTO: Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at the Senate on May 7, 2024. Dela Rosa said the Dutertes will be compelled to lead the political opposition if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allies with the “pink forces” and other non-traditional partners. Noy Morcoso / INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said the Dutertes will be compelled to lead the political opposition if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allies with the “pink forces” and other non-traditional partners.
Dela Rosa underscored the potential role of the Dutertes in shaping the country’s political landscape.
Earlier, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV floated the possibility of forming an “Anti-Duterte Unity Ticket” after Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and two siblings – Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao Mayor Sebastian Duterte – are gearing up to run for senator in the 2025 midterm polls.
READ: VP Sara: My father, brothers ‘gearing up’ for Senate run in 2025
“No choice. Ano bang mangyayari dyan? Eh wala ng opposition. Nandoon na ‘yung mga yellow, mga pink – kasama na sa Malacañang. Paano mafi-fiscalize ‘yung mga affairs of the state kung walang opposition? At saka ang tao naman ang titingin dyan eh,” dela Rosa said during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday.
(No choice. What will happen there? There’s no opposition. The yellows and pinks will already be there – together in Malacañang. How can the affairs of the state be fiscalized if there is no opposition? Anyway, it’s the people who will decide.)
READ: Marcos on Dutertes’ reported Senate bid: ‘It’s a free country’
He further explained: “Ganito ‘yan, kung mag align sila: Ano pang purpose bakit sila nag-join forces sa Malacañang? Hindi ba para hadlangan ang Duterte. So kapag ganon – hadlangan ang Duterte – obvious na opposition na ang Duterte nyan kapag ganyan ang sitwasyon.”
(It’s like this, if they align: What is the purpose of their alliance with Malacañang? Why would they join forces with Malacañang? Is it not to prevent Duterte? So when that happens – block Duterte – it’s obvious that Duterte is in the opposition in that situation.)
But who would lead the opposition if the Dutertes form a new bloc? According to dela Rosa, Vice President Sara Duterte and her father will be good choices.
