Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) talks to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa (right). (AFP FILE PHOTO)
While insisting that becoming a Senator was not yet in his plans, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Monday that only President Rodrigo Duterte could make him run for the Senate in 2019.
Responding to queries from reporters on what could compel him to launch a senatorial bid, Dela Rosa said: “Ang Presidente. Sabihin niya, kung ano ang sabihin niya, sunod-sunod lang ako (The President. I will do whatever he tells me.)
“I’m a good soldier, I will follow orders from my boss,” he also said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Last week, Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she would support Dela Rosa should he run for senator in the 2019 midterm elections.
Dela Rosa, however, said that he had no plans yet of running and would rather focus on his job first.
But he thanked the Duterte-Carpio for recognizing his abilities.
“Pasalamat ako kay Mayor Inday nakita niya na pupwede pala ako diyan. Thank you, thank you. I’m flattered. Hindi ako tatalon kaagad, mago-observe lang. Trabaho muna tayo,” Dela Rosa said.
(I would like to thank Mayor Inday, she saw that I’m fit for the job. Thank you, thank you. I’m flattered. I will not jump right away, I will just observe. Let us work first.)
“Mamaya sabihin niyo sige ang huli si Bato dahil gusto tumakbo sa Senador. Wala pa ‘yang tsismis na ‘yan ginagawa ko na ‘yan dati. Tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho natin,” he added.
(You may accuse me of catching criminals because I want to run. Long before those rumors, I’ve been doing that. I will just continue with my work.)
READ: PNP chief turns gun-shy on 2019 Senate run
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