While other presidential contenders are already going around the country and wooing the Filipino electorate, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has been boosting his health, including exercising, to prepare himself for the official campaign period.
Since he’s up for a “very rigorous” campaign trail, Dela Rosa stressed he needs to condition his body, otherwise he will bog down.
He said part of his preparation is strengthening his body, so he won’t easily get sick.
Dela Rosa is the standard bearer of the Cusi faction of the ruling PDP-Laban party.
Insisting that he is 100 percent sure of running for President in the upcoming polls, Dela Rosa noted he is willing to give way if Davao Mayor Sara Duterte- Carpio decides instead to join the presidential race instead of seeking re-election in her city.
Dela Rosa denied his offer to the Davao mayor of his presidential slot means he remains undecided in vying for the presidency.
Since he filed his certificate of candidacy, Dela Rosa said he has been decisive in becoming a president.
But the former national police chief believes that the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte had the biggest fighting chance of winning, as she has remained the frontrunner in all presidential surveys with a huge margin over the candidate next to her.
Aside from exercising, also part of his preparation is doing media interviews.
He said facing the media is more effective and safer especially at this time of a pandemic. Dela Rosa said this gives him a wider reach than going around to personally campaign.
“Anyway, the campaign period is still February next year,” said Dela Rosa, who also acknowledged his need to be physically present in certain areas.
However, Dela Rosa also admitted he can start his campaign earlier after November 15, when the deadline for substitution of candidates ends.
He also admitted part of his not going around yet was because he remains hopeful the Davao mayor would have a change of heart and later decide to run for president.
“That’s part of it. But as of now, we know that if she doesn’t change her decision, then we are ready, we will push through. So, we are preparing now,” said the former police chief.
Dela Rosa is running alongside Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, the President’s longtime aide.
It was Go who was initially offered by the Cusi wing to lead the party in next year’s presidential derby, but he rejected the endorsement and is running for vice president instead.