TACLOBAN CITY – Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa suspects that Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido’s recent statements are part of a ‘grand design’ to discredit those close to Vice President Sara Duterte.
Duterte is expected to run for the presidency in the 2028 elections, although she has previously stated that she is not interested in the country’s top political post. Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is constitutionally barred from seeking reelection.
In an interview on Friday night, August 30, in the city, De la Rosa mentioned that he could not confirm whether this alleged grand design has the endorsement of Malacañang.
“I cannot really say if this reaches all the way to Malacañang, but what is clear is that this is part of a grand design, a demolition job, to destroy and weaken the allies of the Dutertes, and in the process, weaken Vice President Sara Duterte, who they perceive as a potential rival,” the senator stated.
De la Rosa, who visited Ormoc City and Matag-ob town to lead in the distribution of financial assistance, also confirmed that he would seek reelection in next year’s senatorial elections under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), which is chaired by former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father.
When asked who could be behind this alleged plan, the senator suggested that it could be a group close to Leyte Congressman and House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the President himself.
“He was recruited by our (political) enemies to topple us, those who want to strengthen their position in Malacañang or with the Speaker. He wouldn’t have executed an affidavit if there wasn’t someone backing him up. It’s obvious that his affidavit was scripted to suit their intentions, which is to pin us down,” De la Rosa said.
He also mentioned that their enemies are attempting to link them to drug and POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) operations, as well as extrajudicial killings.
De la Rosa referred to Espenido’s appearance before a House of Representatives quad committee last Wednesday, August 28, where Espenido accused the senator and another Duterte ally, Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, of being involved in the controversial and brutal drug war during former President Duterte’s administration.
Espenido, who was once the police chief of Albuera, Leyte, where former Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and his son were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, made these accusations.
Espinosa Sr. was eventually killed in a shootout inside his cell in a subprovincial jail in Baybay City, Leyte, while Kerwin Espinosa has returned to Albuera and is rumored to be running for mayor in next year’s elections.
During the interview, Sen. De la Rosa also denied Espenido’s claims that during his tenure as PNP chief, he imposed a quota and reward system in relation to the drug campaign.
“I swear on my life, there was no quota or reward system. What I told them was if they perform well, they will be rewarded with promotions,” De la Rosa said.
In Espenido’s case, the senator explained that he recommended his spot promotion from major to lieutenant colonel due to his ‘good performance.’
“And I never told him to kill or neutralize (the enemies). I said they have to conduct operations within legal means and arrest them,” De la Rosa added.
However, if the subjects of their operations fought back, the police had every right to defend themselves, he noted.
“Of course, you shouldn’t be the one to die,” De la Rosa said.
Despite the accusations, the senator stated that he has no plans to take any legal action against what he called Espenido’s lies.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
