CURRENT political discussions are buzzing over the possibility of former President Rodrigo Duterte running for the Senate in 2025.
If this were to happen, it would certainly add a new dimension to the Senate before the 2028 presidential race.
In an interview on the program “Pulso ng Bayan” on SMNI, Senator Bato de la Rosa from the PDP-Laban party, discussed possible scenarios in the Senate after the 2025 mid-term elections.
This is especially relevant if former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also runs for the Senate, as Arroyo and Duterte are known allies.
MJ: Two former Presidents running for the Senate and winning. For example, if you win, and Senator Tolentino wins re-election, Senator Bong Go, that’s three.
Sen. Bato: Don’t forget Senator Bong Revilla, that’s ours.
MJ: You also have the number 1 Senator, Robin Padilla, he’s a Digong supporter. Mark Villar, definitely, as a former DPWH secretary, he’s with Digong.
Sen. Bato: Cynthia Villar, Cynthia.
MJ: Yes, but isn’t Senator Villar’s term ending in 2025?
Sen. Bato: Mark is still in.
MJ: There are two Cayetanos. One was a former DFA secretary under former President Digong.
Sen. Bato: And there’s also Supremo, Lito Lapid. He’s there, part of the Digong-Gloria connection.
Former President Duterte himself confirmed that former President Arroyo is convincing him to run for the Senate.
He said this was discussed when they met in Metro Manila with Senator Bong Go, former Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea, and former Senate President Tito Sotto III.
And if he wins…
“Unless maybe I become a senator one of these days and stand there in the Senate and keep on talking. Then we will have a mess,” according to Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Former Philippine President.
Duterte doesn’t rule out the possibility of running for senator in the 2025 mid-term elections. However, his children, especially his youngest, Kitty, oppose the idea.
The former President also mentioned that he is too old to return to government.
In the latest Publicus Asia Survey in September, Duterte topped the list of senatorial candidates for the next election.
If this happens, his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, would have solid support in the Senate.
Additionally, if President Bongbong Marcos has a House of Representatives due to his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, could the Senate become a “Sara country” in 2025?
Especially if the Senate includes two former Presidents of the Philippines- Arroyo and the older Duterte.
“Well, that’s a good scenario, and our bloc in the Senate will strengthen when we have many allies running and winning. We’ll get even stronger there,” Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa | Member of PDP-Laban stated.
