Duterte gave me his blessing to run for president in May 2022 –Bato dela Rosa

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said that he received President Rodrigo Duterte's blessing to run for president in Eleksyon 2022.

Dela Rosa filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) during the last day of filing on Friday. He is the standard-bearer of the ruling PDP-Laban party.

According to Dela Rosa, he would not have run for president if Duterte was against it.

“Tinawagan ko si Senator Go, tinanong ko kung may blessing kay President. Sabi nya, 'Oo pre. Nag-usap na ang partido at si Pangulong Duterte.' Ayun lang di naman ako puwedeng tumakbo kung ayaw ng pangulo,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview.

(I called Senator Go, I asked if there was a blessing from the President. He said yes, the party and President Duterte had talked. I can't run if the President disapproves.)

"Hindi man natin ito pinapangarap. Hindi ko pinaplano. Pinatakbo ako ng partido bahala na si Lord. Hindi ako umaatras. I am a good soldier," he added.

(I never aspired for this position. I did not plan it. The party asked me to run, so I leave it up to the Lord. I am not backing out. I am a good soldier.)

Dela Rosa underscored that he will continue the programs of Duterte if he is elected in the 2022 national elections.

“I am here to continue the legacy. Buhay ko, kinabukasan ko, buhay ng aking pamilya isinusugal ko dito, malinis ang ating bayan sa problema sa droga. I am willing to gamble myself, my future kahit na wala na akong future i-gamble ko pa rin sa kabutihan ng bansa,” he added.

(I am here to continue the legacy. My life, my future, my family's life, I gamble here, to make sure that our country is clean from the drug problems. I am willing to gamble myself, my future even if I have no future I will still gamble for the good of the country.)

Before being elected as senator, Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police and led the Duterte administration's controversial campaign against illegal drugs.

The drug war is being investigated by the International Criminal Court.

Asked if he would give way to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte if she would replace him as the party's standard-bearer, Dela Rosa replied, “By the all means, maggi-give way ako, decision ito ng partido (I will give way, this is the party's decision).”

Dela Rosa’s running-mate, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president last Saturday.

Duterte announced earlier that he would retire from politics. — DVM, GMA News