By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Bato Dela Rosa said on Wednesday (17 July 2024) that it’s Vice President Sara Duterte’s decision not to attend the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

This was Dela Rosa’s response when asked how it will be called UniTeam if the Vice President does not attend the SONA.

“Well, it’s her call. If she doesn’t want to attend, there’s really no compulsion. It’s up to her,” he said.

Earlier, Duterte stated that she will not attend the SONA and appointed herself as a “designated survivor.”

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said that he has no information on whether former President Rodrigo Duterte will attend the SONA.

“I don’t know [whether he will attend or not],” the senator said.

Marcos’ third SONA will be held on July 22.

(el Amigo/mnm)

Photo from PTV

By Junex Doronio

SAYING THAT HIS FATHER FIGURE PREFERS ACTION THAN to debates, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has revealed that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is not really “too interested” in running for senator in the upcoming midterm elections in 2025.

This developed after news broke out that FRRD’s son Davao City’s 1st district Representative Paulo “Pulong” Zimmerman Duterte has been consistently included in the Magic 12 list of senatorial candidates, ranking 9 to 12, in recent surveys.

Octa Research fellow Guido David earlier said that Pulong could be a viable candidate in the next Senate elections.

Acknowledging the former president’s advanced age, Dela Rosa said that he wanted Duterte to take a rest from government service.

“On the personal note, pagpahingahin na natin. Kawawa naman ang tao. Matanda na, pagpahingahin na natin, para mag-enjoy siya sa buhay niya,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with Radyo 630 on Sunday, November 5.

To recall, Duterte once served as a representative of Davao City’s 1st district, from June 30, 1998, to June 30, 2001.

Nothing significant can be heard of Duterte’s performance as a congressman during his three-year term.

“Mukhang hindi naman sarado, pero kulang lang talaga siya ng interes as of now,” Dela Rosa admitted.

He added: “Galing na siya Presidente. Napagod na siya, at ngayon hanap ka na naman trabaho. Si PRRD ayaw niya ng buhay legislator. Ayaw niya puro debate. Gusto nya aksyon.”

(ai/mnm)