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Cecille Suerte Felipe - The Philippine Star
February 13, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is planning house-to-house visits as he seeks reelection in the May midterm elections.
“Tokhang simply means to knock and plead. Knock on the door of a house and when it opens, smile then plead: ‘Can you vote for me?’ That’s all,” Dela Rosa said.
During former president Rodrigo Duterte’s term, police knocked on the doors of drug suspects as part of an intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
Dela Rosa, former police chief of Duterte, was the architect of the bloody drug war.
Dela Rosa is running under Partido Demokratiko Pilipino.
The senator has admitted that he and his camp are having an uphill battle in this year’s polls as they are not part of the administration’s well-oiled campaign.
The International Criminal Court is probing crimes against humanity reportedly committed by Duterte and Dela Rosa, among others.
Leni leads Kiko-Bam rally
Former vice president Leni Robredo has thrown shade at the Marcos administration during the campaign kickoff rally in Dasmariñas, Cavite of former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.
Addressing supporters clad in pink, Robredo said, “Like in 2022, the call of volunteerism is still alive,” referring to her volunteer-driven and organic presidential campaign.
Without mentioning political developments, Robredo expressed dismay at issues facing the country.
She urged supporters to stop blaming others and focus on getting Aquino and Pangilinan elected.
Abalos in Magic 12
Former interior secretary Benhur Abalos has welcomed the result of a recent survey showing he is among Magic 12 candidates likely to win a Senate seat.
Abalos ranked between ninth and 16th – claiming the 12th spot by a slim margin – with an overall voting preference of 39 percent, based on OCTA Research’s Jan. 25 to 31 pre-election survey.
Quiboloy’s campaign
Alleged rapist and evangelist Apollo Quiboloy has started campaigning for his senatorial bid.
Unable to attend his political rallies, Quiboloy has broadcast a recorded message with the approval of a court and the Commission on Elections. He is running under PDP-Laban chaired by Duterte.
Quiboloy, charged with qualified human trafficking and child abuse, is still detained and under hospital arrest.
Meanwhile, Duterte-allied Partido Federal ng Maharlika will announce its senatorial slate on Saturday, which will include Senators Bong Go, Imee Marcos and Dela Rosa, as well as Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez and actor Philip Salvador. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso, Edith Regalado, Delon Porcalla
