Dela Rosa admits backing Escudero’s leadership, apologizes to Zubiri

Sens. Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (left) and Ronald Bato dela Rosa. —Photos from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau and from the Senate YouTube channel

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald dela Rosa wept not out of resentment or anger but because he failed to win the war for resigned Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Dela Rosa finally admitted on Tuesday that he was one of 15 senators who signed a resolution supporting the new leadership of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

READ: Chiz Escudero is new Senate president; Miguel Zubiri out

“Yes, even though my signature was already insignificant they approached me after the battle had been won,” Dela Rosa said, speaking partly in Filipino, in a press briefing.

“They already have 14 signatures [for Escudero]. So they approached me and talked to me,” he said.

According to him, he signed before the Senate session started on Monday.

During the session, Zubiri announced his resignation. Dela Rosa was among those seen weeping on the Senate floor while the former leader delivered his speech.

According to him, he got emotional when Zubiri saluted him as the latter entered the session hall.

“Being a good soldier, I wanted to say to Senator Migz: Sorry, boss, I failed to win the war for you,” Dela Rosa said.

“Because I’m one of his trusted lieutenants. His mission for me was to secure my party, the PDP, so that it will continue supporting him,” he said, referring to Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, which is headed by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Dela Rosa, newly-installed Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go are all PDP members.

“My commander, I’m so sorry we lost the war. I failed to win the war for you,” he said, addressing Zubiri.

“That’s why I cried. Not because I felt bad, but I felt embarrassed because I wasn’t able to win the war for him,” Dela Rosa added.

“I’m also heartbroken. My heart is really broken. He’s a very good leader, Senator Zubiri. I love him very much. I respect him very much. He’s a very good leader,” he went on.

Before this, Dela Rosa said he was already contemplating joining the minority bloc, but Escudero and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano convinced him to stay with the majority group.

Escudero also assured Dela Rosa that his ongoing probe into the alleged leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents had nothing to do with Zubiri’s ouster.

“No, it was not part of the reason,” Dela Rosa quoted Escudero as telling him.

“It’s all up to you. I was told it’s not the reason.”

Dela Rosa is leading the investigation as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.

The alleged PDEA documents supposedly linked high-profile personalities, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano, to illegal drugs based on pre-operational documents issued on March 11, 2012.