Bato considers Davao’s gubernatorial post in 2019 polls

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

If not the Senate, outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa said he considers running for the gubernatorial seat of Davao del Sur to “give back” to his home province.

Dela Rosa, however, said that only President Rodrigo Duterte could make him run, citing the lack of money and machinery to fund his campaign.

“Hindi ko po talaga alam kung ano ba talaga, usap pa kami ni Presidente kung ano ang gusto niyang tatakbuhan ko, kung final na ang usapan,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with DZMM radio.

(I still don’t know it yet, the President and I have yet to talk on what position should I run for, and if it is final.)

“Nabanggit kasi noon governor… doon sa aming probinsya. [Sabi ni President], ‘para marami ka pang matutulungan na mahihirap doon sa probinsya mo.’ ‘Yan ang sabi niya, pero hindi pa yan final,” he added.

(Duterte has mentioned governor to our province. The President said so that I can help more people in our province.)

READ: PNP chief turns gun-shy on 2019 Senate run

Dela Rosa is set to retire on April 14 and then lead the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

He said he would take a vacation first before assuming his new position.

He will be replaced by current National Capital Region Police Office chief Dir. Oscar Albayalde. /jpv