MANILA, Philippines – Ronald dela Rosa once promised independence from Malacañang, but admitted on Wednesday, May 22, that he still sought President Rodrigo Duterte’s guidance before his proclamation.

The senator-elect recounted: “Alam niyo, the other night, tinawagan ko si Presidente, tinanong ko siya: ‘Sir, any advice, any guidance, bago ako papasok sa Senado?’ (You know, the other night, I called the President.I asked him: Sir, do you have any advice, any guidance before I enter the Senate).”

Aside from sharing tips, guidance in police and military parlance means giving specific instructions. But the President apparently refused to give him any. (READ: In 2019 campaign, Dela Rosa wins with his heart and Duterte)

“Sabi niya sa akin: Bato, you are already a senator of the Filipino people. You are not a senator of Duterte. Hindi kita papakialaman sa trabaho mo, at gawin mo ‘yung trabaho mo para sa kapakanan ng maraming Pilipino,” Dela Rosa said.

(He told me: Bato, you are already a senator of the Filipino people. You are not a senator of Duterte. I won’t intervene in your work, do your work for the majority of Filipinos.)

NOW: Senator elect Bato Dela Rosa answers questions from media after the proclamation of winning senators #PHvote @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/ODLLlASHCm

— Sofia Tomacruz (@sofiatomacruz) May 22, 2019

Dela Rosa and 11 other senators were proclaimed on Wednesday, more than a week after the May 13 polls.

Dela Rosa is used to receiving instructions from Duterte as he served under him his entire career, starting when he was a lieutenant during the time that Duterte was vice mayor of Davao City in 1986 up to when Duterte named him national police chief and became the top architect and implementer of the popular but bloody anti-drug campaign.

“Klaro ‘yung hindi niya ako papakialaman (It’s clear that he won’t dictate on me),” Dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa champions the President’s key policies involving legislation, such as the revival of the death penalty and the shift to federalism. Both belong to the ruling PDP-Laban party.

In an interview with ANC during the campaign period, Dela Rosa said, “Hindi ako puwedeng susuway sa kagustuhan ni Presidente [sa] kung ano ang gusto niya (I cannot go against the President’s wishes). He’s the one who made me.” – Rappler.com