Ballot 22:
Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino
Age: 63 (born Jan. 21, 1962)
Highest educational attainment: Ph.D. in Development Administration, University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City
Endorsed by: Former president Rodrigo Duterte
Fighting the illegal drug trade and modernizing the country’s national defense are Dela Rosa’s continued priorities for his second run. He intends to refile his bills reimposing mandatory Reserve Corps training and prescribing the death penalty for “high-level drug trafficking.”
Field of Expertise
Issues and Controversies
Devised “Oplan Tokhang” from his Davao City police chief days, referring to the house-to-house operations that saw thousands of illegal drug suspects dead under Rodrigo Duterte’s stints as mayor and president.
Under investigation by the International Criminal Court for his role in the killing of drug suspects under Duterte’s war on drugs.
Has been defending Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misspending of confidential funds and slammed the proponents of her impeachment, accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez of conniving against her.
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Where this candidate stands on top 5 concerns of the Filipino voter
- Admitted he was not knowledgeable on economic matters such as inflation, when he filed for his first Senate run in 2018.
- Co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2534 aiming to increase the daily minimum wage by P100.
- One of 17 senators who voted to tax and legalize Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs); walked back on his support by co-sponsoring the Anti-POGO Act of 2024.
- Vocal critic of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program, alleging that it may become a vessel for corruption among legislators.
- Seeks to increase funding and support for the country’s armed forces in order to beef up defenses in the West Philippine Sea.
- Will refile the bill reimposing mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps in schools to mobilize the citizenry against China’s aggression.
- Co-sponsored the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, citing it as a measure to assert the country’s claim over the West Philippine Sea.
- Says he “does not regret anything” and is “thankful” for the outcome of the drug war because it bolstered him to the Senate.
- Insists that the International Criminal Court does not have jurisdiction in the country and will seek “judicial relief” should the court enter the country.
- Proposed additional funding for national defense and reinstating mandatory Reserve Corps training are essential to disaster response because he said these groups take charge in relief operations.
- Co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2780 recognizing the Loss and Damage Fund Board, which provides financial aid to persons affected by extreme weather events in countries most impacted by climate change.
Interesting Facts
- The United States cancelled Dela Rosa’s visa in 2020. No official reason was given but reports indicate that this was due to his involvement in Duterte’s war on drugs.
- Former president Rodrigo Duterte was a principal sponsor of the Dela Rosas twice: in his own wedding in 1989 and his daughter’s wedding in 2019.
- A biographical action film about Dela Rosa was released in 2019 ahead of the midterm elections that year, with PDP president and actor Sen. Robinhood Padilla portraying “Bato.”