Poised to become senator, Bato seeks seminars on lawmaking

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) — Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, one of the leading senatorial bets, said he will take part in lawmaking seminars should he win a Senate seat.

This, as the former Philippine National Police chief and Bureau of Corrections director admitted that he has yet to learn what a senator really does.

"Ewan ko kung meron bang seminar dyan, or ano bang training dyan para matutuhan ko kung paano gawin 'yung ng batas, kung paano gawin 'yung trabaho sa senado. Kung merong ganon I'll take that opportunity para matuto ako," he told CNN Philippines Tuesday.

[Translation: I don't know if there are seminars or trainings on how I can learn how to make laws. I'll take the opportunity so I will learn.]

Dela Rosa is poised to make his debut as a senator, currently ranking fifth in the senatorial race with 18,263,881 votes, based on the partial and unofficial tally of the Commission on Elections.

The PDP-Laban bet, however, said he would refuse to enroll in the country's premier state university.

"'Pag UP 'di na ko pupunta dun, alanganin ako sa lugar na 'yan. Anti-military 'yang lugar na 'yan, ayaw ko pumunta d'yan, anti-police 'yan," he said, referring to the University of the Philippines.

[Translator: I won't go to UP. It's anti-military and anti-police, so I won't go there.]

Dela Rosa added he would specifically seek help from reelectionist senators Koko Pimentel and JV Ejercito.

"Magtawag tawag ako kina Koko Pimentel, JV Ejercito kung ano ba talaga ang trabaho ng senador.. what do I need to prepare para pagpasok ko... hindi na ito katawa-tawa," he said.

[Translation: I will call Koko Pimentel and JV Ejercito to ask what the job of a senator really is.. what I need to prepare, so when I enter the Senate I'm not ridiculous.]

Pimentel currently ranks 11th with 14,170,854 votes while Ejercito is outside the "Magic 12" at the 13th spot with 13,897,153 votes.

Dela Rosa said he will pray for Ejercito to enter the top 12, as he is "sad" about the senator's bad showing in the poll.

"Kaya nga malungkot nga ako... Dasal na lang. Magdasal dasal ako na si JV makaakyat, si Koko wag na bumaba," he said.

[Translation: I'm sad... I'll just pray. I'll pray that JV's ranking will go up and Koko's won't go down.]