Dela Rosa calls former allies ‘opportunistic’ for drug war stance shift

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has expressed disappointment over former drug war allies’ sudden change in stance, calling them opportunistic with no principles.

In a virtual press conference on Friday, dela Rosa voiced his sadness at how some former vocal supporters of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, particularly those who are in the House of Representatives, quickly became its biggest critics.

“Nakakalungkot isipin. Nakakalungkot isipin talaga kung ganon sila kabilis. Kung noon they were singing hallelujah to us for – thank you for the drug war. Thank you for the peace and order. Thank you for the tranquility. Thank you for keeping the streets safe from the drug menace. Thank you and thank you, bow and bow. Ngayon, you are the villain.” dela Rosa said in the interview.

(It’s sad to think about it. It’s sad to think that it was that quick. Before, they were singing hallelujah to us – thank you for the drug war. Now, you are the villain.)

Although he mentioned that not all in the lower chamber did the same, dela Rosa criticized those who quickly became their critics and accused them of being opportunistic.

“Pero for those who are so fast in changing their stance, in changing their views, and changing their everything, all I can say is that these people are so opportunistic. They forgot their principles. Mas pina-prioritize nila ‘yung (They prioritize the) opportunity and whatever that opportunity is, sila lang nakakaalam (only they know about it),” he said.

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On the other hand, the senator highlighted that he continuously upholds his principles regardless of political opportunities.

“Para sa’kin (For me), I don’t care about opportunities; I have to stand on my principles,” he stated.

Furthermore, dela Rosa emphasized that he did not expect this to happen under the current administration, given that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte both won the elections as a team.

However, the senator reiterated that they will not get back at those who turned away from them, saying, “That’s not the brand, Duterte brand of leadership.”

“We don’t join politics to be vindictive. We joined politics to help uplift the quality of lives for people. Hindi tayo nag-join ng politics para maging benggador, bawian natin sino dapat bawian. Walang pupuntuhan ang Pilipinas kung laging ganon ang utak ng mga politiko natin,” he stressed.

(We did not join politics to be avengers and get back at those who deserve it. The country will go nowhere if that is how politicians think.)

Dela Rosa then urged the public to be mindful in choosing leaders, emphasizing that “we need principled people in the government.” Arianne Denisse Cagsawa, INQUIRER.ner intern