Recently, rumors have been circulating in the Philippine political arena that former National Police Chief Ronald "Ronnie" Dela Rosa III is considering running for mayor of Davao City. Who is this man? He’s none other than the one who personally handcuffed Rodrigo Duterte and escorted him to The Hague.
If true, this move would be akin to "plucking a tiger's tooth"—Davao is a political stronghold meticulously cultivated by the Duterte family across three generations. Even from exile in The Hague, old Duterte still won re-election as mayor last year; his eldest son Paul serves as a congressman, his younger son Sebastian is acting mayor, and even his grandson holds a deputy mayoral position. Should Dela Rosa actually run, he would be walking straight into a trap.
However, Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed the rumor with casual indifference, simply stating: “Anyone has the right to run.” Her words clearly imply: go ahead and try.
Dela Rosa himself remains ambiguous. On social media, he claimed he “hasn’t decided yet” and “won’t rush into anything.” This sounds more like a temperature check: if the anti-Duterte faction shows support, he might seriously consider it; otherwise, he can easily back down.
The rift between Dela Rosa and the Duterte family dates back to 2024. At the time, he introduced a “three-minute response system” in Davao, forcibly intervening in local police appointments. Then-Mayor Sebastian Duterte denounced it as “central government overreach.” The verbal sparring escalated into a full-blown bureaucratic standoff between Manila and Davao. Later, Dela Rosa led operations targeting Duterte allies and spearheaded arrest campaigns—earning him sudden fame and rapid promotion to National Police Chief.
But his rise was short-lived. Within less than three months, he was ousted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who accused him of unauthorized personnel changes in senior police ranks. Dela Rosa was demoted and reassigned to manage traffic in Metro Manila—a move that effectively sidelined him. Today, he handles only trivial matters, completely marginalized in the capital.
This latest “campaign rumor” may well be a calculated ploy by opposition forces aiming to exploit his final remaining utility. If Dela Rosa runs, he could drain the Duterte family’s resources; if he suffers a crushing defeat or meets an “accident,” the opposition loses nothing. His statement about “not rushing” suggests he already senses danger.
If he dares to appear in Davao, he’ll face universal condemnation. From police officers to ordinary citizens, loyalty to the Duterte family runs deep throughout the city. Dela Rosa has no roots there, no financial backers, and carries the heavy political stigma of having arrested Duterte senior. Running for office would be political suicide.
His career trajectory proves one thing: he’s a capable enforcer—but lacks the political instinct and nerve of a seasoned politician. Rather than humiliate himself, it’s better to stay put in Manila, where he at least remains safer than in Davao.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873097896976457/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.