Dela Rosa ‘proud’ to be party’s last-minute choice as 2022 presidential bet

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (center) is flanked by PDP-Laban chair Alfonso Cusi (left) and Sen. Francis Tolentino as he files his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president on the final day of COC submissions in Pasay City on Friday. (GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE . INQUIRER)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday said did not take offense  at being the PDP-Laban Cusi wing’s last-minute choice as its presidential candidate and instead felt proud that he was chosen for the position.

“Hindi ako nasaktan [I was not hurt]. I must be proud of it na ako ang napili nila [that I was chosen], finally. I must be proud of it,” Dela Rosa said in an online press conference.

“Last minute na choice, but still being the top choice of the party is a great honor for me and I am proud of that, bakit ako masaktan [why should I be hurt]?” he added.

Dela Rosa, a first-time senator, surprised many when he filed his candidacy for president in the 2022 elections on Friday.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the initial choice for president of the PDP-Laban Cusi faction, joined the vice presidential race following the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to no longer run for the second highest position in the country.

The Commission on Elections’ substitution rule would make it possible for a last-minute replacement of Dela Rosa.

 ‘Good soldier’

Dela Rosa himself admitted that he was only informed about being picked as the Cusi faction’s standard bearer an hour before he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC).

“Sabi sa akin ng liderato ng PDP-Laban (faction) na si [Energy] Sec. [Alfonso] Cusi ‘Wala na tayong ibang makitang pwedeng magpapatuloy sa legacy ni Pres. Duterte kung hindi ikaw, ‘yung laban natin sa droga, criminality, corruption, insurgency. Lahat-lahat ikaw ang magpapatuloy’,” the senator recalled.

(I was told by the leadership of the PDP-Laban faction, Sec. Cusi ‘We can’t see anyone who will continue the legacy of Pres. Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, criminality, insurgency. Everything, you will continue these.)

Dela Rosa also said the presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio replacing him is a possible scenario should the latter be convinced to run for president.

“Alam ko na pwedeng magkaroon ng replacement. Hintayin natin hanggang Nov. 15, kung meron talagang pagbabago man, I am a good soldier, I will abide by party rules and decision. Kung ano sabihin ng partido, we will abide by it,” he said.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte – Carpio

(I know that there’s a possibility for substitution. We can wait until Nov. 15, if things will change, I am a good soldier, I will abide by party rules and decision. Whatever the party will say, I will abide by it.)

Duterte-Carpio, however, stressed that she will seek reelection in Davao City.

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