Bato dela Rosa's birthday wish? 'Sana manalo si Sen Ping, Sir SP'

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa wished victory for presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson and running mate Senate President Tito Sotto after his colleagues greeted and presented him with a cake for his birthday on Tuesday.

In a Facebook video that Sotto posted, Dela Rosa was asked what his wish was and he gamely answered, "“Sana manalo si Sen Ping at si Sir SP.”

[I hope Sen. Ping and Sir SP win.]

Those in the video include Lacson, Sotto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Francis Tolentino and Senator Joel Villanueva.

GMA News Online has sought Dela Rosa, a member of the ruling PDP-Laban,  for comment whether his wish was an official endorsement or a remark only made in jest.

He was also asked if this meant that he was choosing Sotto over his close political ally, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who was recently adopted by the PDP-Laban as its vice presidential candidate.

In a text message sent to reporters, Dela Rosa said he maintains his loyalty to the Dutertes.

“It is but fitting for me to wish my friends and colleagues well in a gathering like that, more so when they themselves are honoring me on my birthday. However, rest assured that I will live and die with the Dutertes,” he said.

Dela Rosa is a member of PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

He initially filed a certificate of candidacy for president, but he eventually withdrew,  saying it was a “party decision.”

Dela Rosa had earlier said he was ready to be substituted and give way to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte if the latter decides to run for president in the upcoming elections.

He even visited the mayor at her office in Davao late last month to offer the PDP-Laban standard bearer slot.

Sara , meanwhile, filed her COC for vice president under Lakas-CMD. She is running with former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. from Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

On the other hand, Sotto welcomed Dela Rosa’s remark, adding that he has “a strong suspicion that  Ping and I are the underground (secret) candidates of most of our colleagues. Suspetsa lang (That’s just a suspicion)!” —NB/VBL, GMA News