Bato: Baste Duterte yet to decide on Senate run

Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte is considering a Senate run in Eleksyon 2025 if his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, will seek the mayoral post in their hometown.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa revealed on Thursday that they encouraged Mayor Baste to run for the Senate, but the Dutertes have yet to finalize their plans for the midterm polls.

"So far, hindi pa final 'yung decision nila 'no. Pero 'yun nga iimbitahan namin, since nag-take ng oath na si Mayor Baste sa PDP, we are hoping na sasama siya sa amin, tatakbong senador," Dela Rosa said in a press conference after he filed his certificate of candidacy for his reelection bid.

"Pero ang requirement lang niya is dapat si President Duterte ang tatakbong mayor ng Davao pero mukhang 'di pa na-finalize," he added.

(So far, the Dutertes' decision is not yet final. Since Mayor Baste took oath with the PDP, we are hoping that he will join us in running for the Senate, but his requirement was that his father, former President Duterte, should run for Davao City mayor. But that has yet to be finalized.)

Dela Rosa said he asked Mayor Baste again about this proposal during the PDP National Convention in Davao City on September 20.

"So 'yung last na national convention namin sa PDP sa Davao, tinanong ko uli si Mayor Baste kung sasama na. Sabi niya, wala pang final, wala pang napag-usapan," he said.

(In the last national convention of PDP in Davao City, I asked Mayor Baste again if he will join us. He told me that their decision is not yet final and they have not discussed it yet.)

Dela Rosa disclosed this information when asked about the photo posted by Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte where he was seen with his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and siblings, Vice President Sara Duterte and Mayor Baste.

GMA News Online has reached out to Mayor Baste through his personal Facebook account and to Vice President Sara Duterte for their confirmation, but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

Last month, Mayor Baste joined Partido Demokratiko Pilipino and took oath as the party's executive vice president. 

PDP to wait for former President Duterte's decision

Meanwhile, PDP president Robin Padilla said the party would wait for the decision of former President Duterte to run for senator until the last day of filing of candidacy papers on October 8. 

“Bilang partido, ako ang presidente ng PDP, gusto ko na tumakbo siya. Kung hindi siya, isa sa mga anak niya,” the senator told reporters. 

(As PDP president, I personally want him to run. If not him, then one of his children.)

“Para sa amin, napakahalaga sa PDP na may Duterte dahil ang PDP ay Duterte,” Padilla said. 

(For us, it's important for PDP to have a Duterte because PDP is a Duterte party.)

The PDP will be fielding more senatorial aspirants, including “surprise candidates." It will also be adopting bets from other groups, Padilla said. 

“Di ko kailanman iniisip na may kalaban kami o kahit anong partido. Nung tinanggap ko ang pagkapangulo ng PDP, ako kung pupuwede lang coalition namin lahat eh. Kasi kapag tayo ay nagkakagulo, wala tayong makikitang pag-unlad, pero kung sasabihin ni mayor na kumuha kami diyan, bakit hindi? Gusto ko,” he added. 

(I never thought that we had any rivals or any opposing party. When I accepted the presidency of PDP, if it were up to me, I would have formed a coalition with all of them. If we are all in disarray, there can be no prospect of progress, but if the mayor says we should join forces, why not? That's what I want.)

Meanwhile, Padilla said the 79-year-old former president is “physically well” and can still carry out Senate duties. 

“Naniniwala ako na kayang-kaya ni FPRRD. Nangangarap pa ako na siya ang magiging Senate President,” he said. 

(I believe FPRRD can do it. I'm even dreaming that he may become Senate President.)  — VBL, GMA Integrated News