SENATOR Bato dela Rosa sees no issue with having three Dutertes in the Senate if they win in the 2025 midterm elections.
According to Bato, former President Digong Duterte, Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, and Congressman Pulong Duterte have shown strong leadership qualities and resilience in the face of challenges.
“They are excellent leaders. Leadership with courage and a fighting spirit is in their DNA. That’s the leaders that we need for this country,” said Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Bato pointed out that while some may criticize the idea of three Dutertes in the Senate, still, it is not far-fetched or unprecedented in a vibrant democracy like the Philippines.
“You might having three Dutertes as senators is too much. But ultimately, it’s the people who will decide through elections. That’s why we have elections— for the people to elect who they want,” added Dela Rosa.
The senator cited examples of family members serving together in the Senate, such as siblings, Alan and Pia Cayetano, JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada, and the mother-daughter duo of Mark and Cynthia Villar.
“As I’ve said, if we’re okay with siblings and parents serving in the senate, why deny that to the Dutertes? Especially if the people truly choose them,” he said.
To recall, Vice President Sara Duterte recently mentioned the possibility of three Dutertes gunning for senatorial seats, a move that Senator Bato sees as serious and could have a significant impact in the political landscape of the country.
If the three Dutertes do enter the Senate, it’s expected to strengthen the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) political party once again.
This assumes re-election victories for Senators Bong Go, Francis Tolentino, and Bato himself.
Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla, acting president of PDP, will continue until his term ends in 2028.
“It looks promising. We have the Dutertes after all, and considering their followership, PDP will definitely rise again,” he concluded.
