Bato wants to run for Senate but says his fate depends on Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Newly installed Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa really wants to run for a Senate post in the 2019 midterm elections.

The former police chief expressed his willingness Wednesday but said that he is leaving his fate to his boss, President Rodrigo Duterte.

In an interview on ANC’s “Headstart,” Dela Rosa said that he is eyeing either a Senate post or the gubernatorial seat of Davao del Sur but he prefers the former more.

“If I would have it my way, I’d choose the Senate. But then again, I must say it clear that I should not disobey what the president wants for me,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Dela Rosa added: “He’s the one who made me. I am hugely indebted to him. If he says that I should help my home province, then I will.”

But if the chief executive tells him not to join politics, then Dela Rosa would heed Duterte’s order.

The BuCor chief ranked in the 8-15 bracket in Pulse Asia senatorial survey released last month. 

Dela Rosa stepped down as the Philippine National Police chief in the last week of April. Last Monday, he attended his first ceremony at the BuCor, which oversees the operations of the New Bilibid Prison.

READ: Biggest controversies that troubled the PNP under Dela Rosa