Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa yesterday took a swipe at President Marcos Jr. over his remarks that voters should pick the administration’s senatorial candidates during the May 12 midterm elections because they are not tainted with the bloods of victims of the violent drug war of his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dela Rosa, during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) proclamation rally at the Club Filipino in San Juan City, said Marcos’ remarks were “uncalled for, unexpected for a President.”
While Marcos did not name names, Dela Rosa said his statement was obviously directed at him since he was the PNP chief when Duterte launched his intensified war on drugs.
“Ang sabi ay may bahid ng dugo ang kamay dahil sa ‘Tokhang’. Wala namang ibang involved diyan sa Tokhang kundi ako, di ba? Kung ang aking mga kamay ay may bahid ng dugo, hindi ko kinakahiya. Kung ‘yung aking mga kamay ngayon ay may bahid ng dugo, dugo ‘yan ng mga masasamang tao. Kung kinakailangan na madumihan ng dugo ng masasamang tao ang aking kamay para ma-protektahan ang buhay ng mga matitino, mababait, at law abiding citizens, gagawin ko po yun. Itaga niyo sa bato, gagawin ko yan (He said that there are candidates whose hands are tainted with blood due to ‘Tokhang.’ There is no one else involved in Tokhang but me, isn’t it? If my hands are tainted with blood, I am not ashamed of it. If my hands today are tainted with blood, those are the blood of bad people. If my hands will be tainted again with the blood of bad people, I will do it again to protect the lives of peace-loving and law-abiding citizens. Cast it in stone, I will do it),” he said.
He said there was no need for Marcos to take a swipe at him or his fellow PDP senatorial candidates if he believes that they are insignificant.
“Ibig bang sabihin takot sila sa atin? Kasi kung insignificant opposition tayo, bakit ko pakialaman kung sino-sino yan, mga insignificant kayo. Pero the mere fact that the President of the Republic of the Philippines ang tumitira, ibig sabihin, we are somebody (Does that mean that they are afraid of us? Because if we are the insignificant opposition, he would not mind us because we are insignificant. But the mere fact that the President of the Republic of the Philippines is hitting us, that means we are somebody),” he said.
He likewise took exemption to the President’s statement that some of the candidates vying for a Senate were merely sent out to run errands but ended up filing their certificates of candidacies.
“Napakasakit pakinggan na kami daw, ‘yung team sa PDP ay parang nagbebenta daw ng suka tapos binigyan ng ng COC (It hurts to hear his remarks that team PDP candidates were just selling vinegar and all of sudden were given COCs),” he said, adding that the party’s candidates include lawyers and some even have masteral degrees, like him.
SUPPORT PDP
Sen. Christoper Go urged voters to support the PDP Laban candidates so that he, Dela Rosa, and Sen. Robin Padilla will have more allies in the Senate to pass important measures for the benefit of the Filipino people.
“Tulungan po natin ang mga kasamahan namin kasi ang panalo nila ay panalo rin ng mga Duterte at ng bawat Pilipino (Please support our party mates and guest candidates because their win is a win for the Dutertes and the Filipino people),” Go said.
Go vowed not to resort to mudslinging, saying he will let the people judge if has served the Filipino well.
“Ako ayaw kong manira, ayokong sumagot kasi maraming nagtatanong kanina. Hayaan na natin ang Pilipino ang humusga kung nagserbisyo si Pangulong Duterte, si Tatay Digong, nung panahon niya. Kayo na ang humusga kung nagbago ang buhay niyo nung panahon niya (I will not respond because there are many who have been asking me to do just that. I will let the Filipino people judge if President Duterte served the people well during his time. Let the people decide if their lives got better during Duterte’s time),” he said.
Former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez said once elected as senator, he will propose the amendment of the Anti-Plunder law so that the death penalty will be handed down to plunderers.
Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Quiboloy, in a recorded message, said he will advocate for a zero corruption in government if elected senator.
“Huwag nating hayaan na ang kaban ng bayan ay lapastanganin ninoman…Ang pera ng taumbayan ay para sa pampublikong kapakanan, hind isa bulsa ng kahit sinoman (Let us not allow people to plunder the government coffers. The people’s money should be for the benefit of the people, and not go to someone else’s pockets),” Quiboloy said.
Vice President Sara Duterte was not able to make it to the PDP Laban proclamation rally, but she prepared a statement of support for the team which was flashed on a giant monitor during the event and read by the hosts.
“Ipinapaabot ko ang aking taos-pusong pagbati sa lahat ng mga miyembro at taga-suporta ng Partido Demokratiko Pilipino na nagtitipon-tipon ngayong araw na ito para sa senatorial candidates proclamation rally. Kaisa ng ating mga kababayang patuloy na naghahangad ng isang magandang kinabukasan, ipinapaabot ko ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong pagpupunyaging magbigay-daan sa isang tunay at makabuluhang pagbabago (I am extending my heartfelt greetings to all members and supporters of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino who are gathered today for the senatorial candidates’ proclamation rally. In solidarity to our people who are hoping for a better future, I would like to thank you all for giving way to genuine reforms for change),” the Vice President said.
She called on the people to vote for the PDP and guest candidates whom she said will bring genuine reforms to the government.
“Kasama ninyo kaming nagdarasal para sa tagumpay ng ating mga dbokasiya, alang-alang sa kapakanan ng ating komunidad at kapwa Pilipino (We are one with you in praying for the success of our advocacies for the benefit of our communities, and fellow Filipinos)”, she added.
STOP MARCOS ABUSES
Davao City mayor Sebastian Duterte said the PDP – Laban stood up against the abuses of the late President Marcos Sr and it is again standing up against the dictator’s son’s administration.
He urged the public to support the PDP senatorial candidates to continue the work of his father.
“Minsan na nating naipakita at napatunayan na kaya nating ayusin ang sistema ng ating pamahalaan sa pamumuno ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte (We have shown and proven that we can fix the system under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte),” he said, adding: “Walang makakapigil sa atin kapag tayo ay magkaka-isa (Nothing can stop us if we unite).”
The former President arrived at 8 p.m. for the proclamation rally, which started at 3 p.m.
The PDP is fielding eight senatorial candidates: Dela Rosa, Go, lawyers Jimmy Bondoc, Raul Lambino, Jayveen Hinlo and Vic Rodriguez; actor Philip Salvador; and guest candidates Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, and Quiboloy.
