‘Bato’ prefers local over senatorial position

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De la Rosa was speculated to be planning to run for senator in the 2019 elections but denied that he was.

If he went to politics, the PNP director general said, he would aim for barangay (village) captain in Barangay Bato in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, in Mindanao in southern Philippines.

The national police chief’s nickname came from Barangay Bato,

his hometown. “Sig uro,kun gs as aliak os a pu litika,b aka ta ta k boa kong bar an gay captain sa Barangay Bato... Mas dire kt ayungtu long at serb is y os a

mgakababayanmo [Maybe, if I entered politics, I would run for village chief of Barangay Bato.. Your help and service to your countrymen would be more direct],” he said.

De la Rosa, however, is still not shutting the door on gunning for senator.

“S a to tool ang,akoay open salahat . But sangayondiko

iniisipyandahil focused akosa three-month extension and after this, magbu- Bucor [ Bureau of Corrections] paako [Truth is, I am open to anything. But at this time, running for anything is out of my mind because I am focused on my three-month extension as PNP chief and, after this, I will take over the Bureau of Corrections]” he said.

In a survey by independent poll conducted from November 11 to 19, de la Rosa ranked 12th among possible senators.

He was supposed to retire next week but President Rodrigo Duterte extended his term as PNP chief for 90 days.

De la Rosa will then serve as Corrections chief.