By Liza Soriano
SENATOR Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said that their group has not discussed yet the possible return of former president Rodrigo Duterte to politics.
This was Dela Rosa’s response to speculations about Duterte’s return to politics although the former president emerged tops in Publicus Asia’s survey of possible senatorial candidates in 2025 that was released on Thursday. Sept 22, 2023.
Dela Rosa said that he would rather see Duterte in his private life. However, he would also support the former president should the latter decide to return to politics.
“Kung gusto niya, (Duterte) fight. Gamit na gamit pa ‘yung pagiging Digong Duterte sa taumbayan. Magamit pa rin ‘yung kanyang kaalaman at eksperyensya,” he said.
“Pero on the other hand, maganda rin yung magpahinga siya, because he has spent too much time of his lifetime in government service. It’s about time siguro na magpahinga siya, at sarili lang nya ang atupagin niya at mag-enjoy na lang sya sa nalalabing panahon niya dito sa mundo,” the lawmaker added.
The senator added that Duterte came back to his “old mayor self.”
“Kung ‘yung basehan ‘yung utak niya (Duterte), kung gaano kakulit ‘yung tao, kung gaano ka-komedyante, ay bumalik na. Parang mayor na rin siya dati. ‘Yung kanyang mga kalokohan kung magsasalita, eh bumabalik sa dati,” Dela Rosa said. (ai/mnm)