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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Dela Rosa says 'a clean heart' his best weapon in seeking 2022 presidential bid

Dela Rosa says 'a clean heart' his best weapon in seeking 2022 presidential bid

Published Oct 11, 2021 11:37 am

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday, Oct. 11 shot down negative expectations on him running for the presidency saying that among the presidential candidates in the upcoming May 2022 national elections, he presents himself with a “clean heart” and sincerity.

Dela Rosa, who surprisingly filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last weekend after much speculation on the possible run of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi faction’s standard bearer, pointed this out during an online interview.

“I come with a clean heart. That’s my best weapon, kasi kung tainted yung puso ko (because if my heart is tainted), I think I am less qualified,” Dela Rosa said in an online interview with reporters.

“Pero malinis yung puso ko (But my heart is clean), that is why I am very much qualified. I am sincere; hindi ako plastik (I’m genuine). At kayan kong harapin lahat ng risk dito sa posisyon na ito (And I can face all the risk that comes with the position),” he added.

Dela Rosa also said that though he is considered a last-minute choice, he was not told by anyone from the PDP-Laban party that he would be a temporary presidential bet.

“Walang nagsasabi niyan sa akin. Pero alam ko na pwede yun mangyari (No one is telling me that. But I believe that that could happen). But I’m a team player. Pero di ako sinabihan na ikaw muna standard bearer habang wala na si Inday Sara (But I was not told that I would be a temporary standard bearer while Mayor Inday Sara is not yet available),” he pointed out.

“Pero naiintindihan ko na pwedeng mangyari yang ganyang scenario (But I do understand that that such scenario could happen),” the senator stressed.

Asked if he believes he has a fighting chance among other candidates, Dela Rosa said being in the ruling political party is already an advantage.

“May fighting chance tayo (We have a fighting chance). I believe in my heart, I have that chance,” Dela Rosa stressed.

Dela Rosa also rejected insinuations he is unprepared when asked why he still has no programs that he could offer to the public, saying it is still too early for him to come up with details about his platform.

“Hindi naman ako tanga na tatakbo na walang hinahanda para sa ating bayan. Buhay ko ay nakahanda para dito sa ating bansa (I’m not stupid to run without preparing for any program for our country. My life is ready to serve for the country),” he pointed out.

Related Tags

May 2022 elections presidential elections bato dela rosa PDP-Laban
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