Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who secured the third spot in the 2025 senatorial race with 20,773,946 votes, dedicated his victory to former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a statement of protest against the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) order to arrest the former leader.
Dela Rosa, a staunch ally of Duterte, emphasized his gratitude during his proclamation on Saturday, describing his win as a reflection of public support for the former president. “Wherever you are, I dedicate this victory to you,” he declared, speaking in a mix of Filipino and English.
The senator-elect also expressed his appreciation to Vice President Sara Duterte, his fellow PDP-Laban party members, and his allies in the “DuterTEN,” the slate of ten senatorial candidates endorsed by the Duterte family.
In a heartfelt moment, Dela Rosa shared a key lesson he learned during the campaign: “I learned that the people can love you without giving ayuda,” he said in Filipino, highlighting his belief in the public’s genuine support.
