Ex-PNP chief Bato joins senatorial race
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 12:25 p.m.) — Former Philippine National Police chief and current Bureau of Corrections head Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has arrived at the Commission on Elections on Friday to file his certificate of candidacy for senator.
Dela Rosa is running under the ruling party, PDP-Laban.
The former PNP chief took his oath as a PDP-Laban member last August.
Dela Rosa earlier said that his bid to run for Senate has President Rodrigo Duterte's backing. He said he was initially thinking of running for governor of Davao Del Sur.
READ: Bato dela Rosa to run for Davao del Sur governor
He just announced his senatorial bid last month.
As a former police chief, Dela Rosa said his areas of focus would be law enforcement and peace and order.
If elected, he would also push for the re-imposition of the death penalty for crimes of drug trafficking, rape and murder.
Dela Rosa said he is aiming to become a member of the upper house after being instructed by Duterte to do so.
“Sabi niya: ‘Grab the opportunity,’” Dela Rosa said.
He added: “I am too young to retire. I have retired from the PNP. At 56 years old, malakas pa ako, kayang-kaya ko pang mag-serbisyo sa taumbayan.”
Dela Rosa retired from police service early this year. He has been in the service for 36 years and this is the first time he is gunning for an elective post. — with Gaea Katreena Cabico
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