Bato to skip Marcos 4th SONA: Ayokong makipag-plastikan

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said Thursday that he will not be attending the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 28.

Dela Rosa, a staunch ally of the Duterte family, confirmed this in a phone interview with reporters, emphasizing that he does not want to pretend to be on good terms with certain officials from Malacañang and the House of Representatives during the event. 

“Ayaw ko magkipag-plastikan. Alangan naman pupunta 'ko doon na nakasimangot. Pangit, diba? Alangan naman pupunta ko doon na pa-smile-smile kahit na masama ang loob 'ko sa kanila,” the senator said. 

(I don't want to pretend and go there frowning. That’s not good to look at. Why would I go there with a fake smile when I’m upset with them?) 

“So, ano pa? Makipag-plastikan ako doon sa mga congressman na masama ang loob ko. Hindi naman lahat ng congressman, pero may mga congressman doon na masama ang loob ko at mayroon ding mga tao sa Malacañang na masama ang loob ko. So, bakit ako makipag-plastikan?”

(For what purpose? I don’t want to pretend in front of congressmen I'm upset with. Not all congressmen, but there are those in the Congress and Malacañang I have something against. Why should I pretend to be okay with them?) 

Dela Rosa also clarified that skipping Marcos’ SONA this year was his personal decision, and other senators in the so-called Duterte bloc may decide on the matter on their own. 

The “Duter7” senators include Dela Rosa, Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Mark Villar, Camille Villar, and Imee Marcos.

Asked for his expectations on what will be included in the presidential speech, Dela Rosa floated the possibility of Marcos mentioning the supposed arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the war on drugs. 

“I will expect na i-insist ni Secretary Bersamin ‘yung sinabi niya,” he quipped.

(I expect that [Executive] Secretary [Lucas] Bersamin will insist on what he previously said.)

The police officer-turned-senator was referring to an earlier statement by Bersamin that Dela Rosa could be arrested once the ICC issues a warrant of arrest. Malacañang, meanwhile, said it has yet to receive communication in that regard. 

Dela Rosa also said that he no longer has expectations from the Marcos administration.

“Wala na akong expectation sa gobyerno na ito. Hope na lang, hope. Ayaw ko nang umasa. Wala na lang ako, nag-hope na lang ako na mag-focus sila na pagandahin ang buhay ng Pilipinas. 'Yun na lang ang aking hope,” he said. 

(I have no more expectations from this government. I just hope. I don't want to expect anymore. I just hope that they will focus on making the life of the Filipinos better. That's my only hope.)

Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Duterte administration and was the chief implementer of the war on drugs. 

Former president Rodrigo Duterte is now detained at The Hague, Netherlands over charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during the controversial drug war. — RF, GMA Integrated News