Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Saturday joined vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte in her Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNPR).

Dela Rosa said joining the Davao City mayor was his “little way” of giving back as the latter campaigned for him when he ran for senator in 2019.

“Malaki yong utang na loob natin sa kanya. In my own little way, maka-give back din ako sa ating pasasalamat sa kanya (I am indebted to her. It’s my own little way of paying back) through doing the rounds with her,” he said. “Siya mismo yung umikot sa buong Pilipinas para ikampanya ako (She went around the country to campaign for me).”

He, however, said his support for Mayor Sara could be traced back to even before the 2019 elections.

“I’m committed to her. Yung commitment na yon, it goes back to younger years pa — nung bata pa sya at bagong pulis pa ako ng Davao. Ganon kalalim ang aming pinagsamahan (That commitment goes back to her younger years when I was new policeman in Davao. That’s how far we have known each other),” he added.

Dela Rosa lauded Sara’s brand of leadership and hopes it will be experienced by all Filipinos.

“(It’s a) no non-sense leadership. On the national level, we expect na the same brand of leadership ang ipapakita niya (that she will show the same brand of leadership),” he said.

Dela Rosa was Davao City’s chief of police under Sara’s administration. He later became the national police chief after President Rodrigo Duterte won in 2016.

Sara is now in Pangasinan province for the 19th day of her national caravan dubbed Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride.

Sara, together with senatorial bets Harry Roque and Robin Padilla, joined the inauguration of the Sara For VP headquarters in Alaminos town with 1st District Rep. Arnold Celeste, 4th District Rep. Christopher De Venecia, 5th District Rep. Ramon Guico III, 6th District Rep. Tyrone Agabas, former Rep. Rachel Arenas, and 1st District congressional candidate Art Celeste.

She then proceeded to meet with Governor Amado Espino III in Lingayen City. (PR)