Former Philippine National Police chief and recently resigned Bureau of Corrections chief Bato dela Rosa formalized his bid for a seat in the Senate when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC).
Dela Rosa was accompanied by his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Macky, when he handed his documents at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila.
Dela Rosa explained that he wants to take his fight against lawlessness to the upper chamber.
“Finally, I filed my certificate of candidacy because I am serious in running for the Senate. God willing, kung suwertehin (if I’m lucky). Ang ifo-focus ko (I will focus on) law enforcement, safety and security, peace and order and of course the corrections. Dyan ako magfo-focus. Sana suwertihin tayo at God will bless us (That’s where I will focus. I hope God will bless us),” he said in an interview.
“I will focus on law enforcement, safety and security, peace and order and of course the corrections.”
Dela Rosa admitted that aside from his desire to run, President Rodrigo Duterte was influential in his decision to seek an elective position under the administration party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
“Ang President ang sabi niya noon, ‘Takbo ka as senador’ (the president said I should run for senator)“ he said. “Yes. He will support me by his endorsement alone. But no financial support — kulang ‘yung pera ng Presidente natin (the President has no funds). The very fact na sinabi niya na susuportahan niya ako, it will encourage more ang tao na boboto sa akin (that he said he would support me, it will encourage more people to vote for me),” he added.
Asked why he is seeking for a Senate seat, he said, “Gustong-gusto ko magserbisyo. (I want to serve.) I am too young to retire. I have retired from the PNP at 56-years-old. At alam kong malakas pa ako. Madami pa akong made-deliver na serbisyo sa taong bayan. Parang pulitiko na ba ako magsalita? (And I know I am still strong and able. I can still serve the people. Do I sound like a politician already?),” he said.
“I am too young to retire. I have retired from the PNP at 56-years-old. And I know I am still strong and able. I can still serve the people.”
Dela Rosa added that should he get elected as senator, he would push for the revival of the death penalty.
“Death penalty para sa drug trafficking at saka yung under heinous crimes like rape, at saka yung murder na talagang karumal-dumal. Ako talaga, more on drugs dahil nakikita ko, personal experience ko ito na maniwala na lang kayo sa akin,” (Death penalty for drug trafficking, and other heinous crimes, such as rape and murder. I will [focus] more on drugs. This has been my personal experience, just believe me), he said.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa added that he filed his COC at exactly 11 a.m. because of his belief in feng shui.
“Dapat kasi 11 a.m. daw ako magfi-file. Nung dumating ako, 10 minutes before 11 pa. Feng shui ba. Walang masama kung maniniwala tayo sa feng shui, di ba? Para daw yung sun is directly above you. ‘Yung energy ng sun directly papunta sa ulo ni Bato. Wala pang buhok kaya ia-absorb lahat ng energy ng sun,” (I was advised to file [my COC] at 11 a.m. There’s nothing wrong in believing in Feng Shui, don’t you think? The sun’s energy will be directly absorbed by my bald head), he said jokingly.
