Dela Rosa says he’s more than 50% sure of running for senator

Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald dela Rosa (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Short of declaring a run for the Senate, Undersecretary Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chief of the Bureau of Corrections,  said on Tuesday he would push for the death penalty, a national identification system, and a ban on prepaid phone lines if elected to the chamber in 2019.

Speaking to reporters at the Senate, Dela Rosa, former chief of the Philippine National Police, said he was now “more than 50 percent” sure of joining the electoral derby in 2019.

He said, however, that it would still be up to President Rodrigo Duterte to determine whether he would run or not.

His own family, Dela Rosa added, was “against it.”

But he was prepared with answers when asked what he could contribute to the Senate.

“If ever that happens, I will focus more on safety and security,” he said. “I want the death penalty for drug offenders and I want a national ID system.”

“I also want no more prepaid phone lines,” he added. “There should be only postpaid lines so we can monitor the activities of syndicates and criminals.”

Asked why he had a platform already, he said people had been asking for a year now if he would had run for senator.

“I should have a prepared answer,” he said. “Otherwise, people will say Bato is an idiot.”

He claimed ignorance about tarpaulin signs and billboards sprouting all over Metro Manila showing him with Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.

“Actually I don’t know. We will find out who [put the signs]. Nobody asked my permission. I don’t know these people, promise,” Dela Rosa insisted.

But he said he couldn’t help but be flattered by the supposed clamor.

“I am only human. It’s normal instinct to be flattered by people who want to you to run,” he said. “I am open to everything.” /atm