Bato Dela Rosa withdraws from 2022 presidential race
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 13) – Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has withdrawn his candidacy for president in the 2022 elections.
Dela Rosa told CNN Philippines on Saturday it was the decision of his political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), for him to withdraw his candidacy for president.
“I'm a good soldier. I will just follow party decisions. So, desisyon po ng partido na mag-withdraw ako. Kaya ako nag-withdraw (So, it is the decision of the party for me to withdraw. That’s why I withdrew),” said Dela Rosa.
The nation’s former top cop filed his withdrawal hours after a representative of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio submitted the substitution papers that formalized the presidential daughter’s vice presidential run in next May's polls.
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Dela Rosa formalized his withdrawal after ertswhile running mate Sen. Bong Go decided to field his name in the 2022 presidential race.
Amid these developments, Presidential Communications and Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said President Rodrigo Duterte will file his candidacy for the vice presidency on Nov. 15, the last day of substitution for candidates in the 2022 polls.
After a last-minute filing of his surprise candidacy for president last Oct. 8, Dela Rosa has openly urged the younger Duterte to seek a higher post in next year’s elections.
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Dela Rosa said he offered the Davao City mayor to replace him as the presidential bet of PDP-Laban in a meeting last Oct. 25.
However, Duterte took oath instead as a new member of Lakas-CMD, a political party headed by Sen. Bong Revilla Jr., earlier this week. She resigned from her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago before joining Lakas, fueling speculations that she might seek the presidency or vice presidency in the 2022 elections.
