‘Bato’ open to Senate post in 2019

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa is open to a possible run for the Senate in the 2019 mid-term elections.

Dela Rosa said yesterday said he is not closing the door on politics if it would mean serving the public in another capacity.

“If I could be of help to the country by being a senator, why not?” he said in an interview over dzMM radio.

“Who doesn’t want to be a senator? It’s good to be a senator,” he said, but added he has no definite plans at the moment.

While he is keeping his options open, Dela Rosa said he currently does not have the funds to wage a nationwide campaign for a Senate seat.

He added that announcing one’s political plans too early could be a mistake.

Dela Rosa cited the case of former vice president Jejomar Binay who led early surveys but eventually lost in his bid for the presidency after his opponents hurled allegations of corruption against him.

Dela Rosa is leading the PNP in waging President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs and criminality. He is set to retire in January of next year.

The PNP chief said it would be up to Duterte to decide whether to appoint him to a government position upon his retirement.

“I leave it to the President as to where he might want to appoint me. I will not demand or signify what I want,” he said.