[DECODED] Duterte’s drug struggle haunts Dela Rosa and Bong Go’s Senate bids

Throughout social media platforms like Fb, Twitter, and Instagram, Dela Rosa and Go see a surge in mentions, however their names are sometimes paired with Duterte and his bloody drug struggle

Within the 2019 elections, Bato Dela Rosa and Bong Go performed the Duterte card, using the wave of the previous president’s immense recognition straight into the Senate. 

However as 2025 approaches, the deck is being reshuffled, and the once-winning hand might not assure a jackpot. The Duterte card — as soon as the ace of spades for these political neophytes — now dangers turning into a joker.

Latest knowledge evaluation from knowledge forensics agency The Nerve reveals the rising weight of this burden. From October 1 to November 30, 2024, tales about Rodrigo Duterte’s drug struggle dominated headlines.

The Nerve’s media narrative map, primarily based on information articles mentioning 2025 senatorial candidates, confirmed how intently Dela Rosa and Go’s names are linked to the controversial legacy of their former boss.

Throughout social media platforms like Fb, Twitter, and Instagram, Dela Rosa and Go noticed a surge in mentions, however their names have been typically paired with Duterte and the bloody drug struggle.

Again in 2019, the pair didn’t want highly effective surnames or dynastic roots to safe Senate seats. Their affiliation with Duterte was their golden ticket.

Dela Rosa, the Philippine Nationwide Police chief turned poster boy of the drug struggle, and Go, then a Particular Assistant to the President, rode excessive on Duterte’s recognition.  Dela Rosa completed in Fifth place, whereas Go snagged third. 

However the political recreation now has modified. Duterte is not in energy. And he’s now engaged in a bitter political feud along with his erstwhile ally, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who received a landslide in 2022.

Dela Rosa continues to clutch the Duterte card near his chest. At a Senate listening to, he defended Duterte, objecting to drug struggle victims talking first out of “respect” and “humanitarian causes” for the previous president, now 79.

Nonetheless, Dela Rosa’s loyalty comes with its dangers, particularly after Duterte identified that Dela Rosa is among the many alleged commanders of the loss of life squad.

“‘Yong isang senador diyan, si Senator Dela Rosa, loss of life squad din ‘yan as a result of they have been police administrators dealing with, controlling crimes within the metropolis. Kapag sinabi mong loss of life squad, it’s a really free time period. Lahat ito, si Cuy, si Danao ‘ayan o nagdadasal. Kasalanan niya siguro. Ilan ba pinatay mo?” Duterte stated.

(That senator over there, Senator Dela Rosa, can also be a part of a loss of life squad as a result of they have been police administrators dealing with [and] controlling crimes within the metropolis. While you say “loss of life squad,” it’s a really free time period. All of them, like Cuy [and] Danao, look there they’re praying. It’s most likely their fault. How many individuals have you ever killed?)

Dela Rosa’s involvement within the drug struggle has additionally positioned him among the many accused officers of the Duterte administration going through allegations of crimes towards humanity earlier than the Worldwide Felony Court docket (ICC). He had additionally confirmed that his workplace has acquired communications from the ICC, however admitted that he’s ignoring the worldwide physique.

Bong Go recalibrates

In the meantime, Go is grappling with controversies of his personal. Throughout a Senate listening to on October 10, 2024, a matrix linked him to the nationwide drug struggle killings and alleged ties to Pharmally boss Allan Lim (aka Allan Lin), who’s accused of drug-related actions.

In response to the backlash, Go seems to be recalibrating and making an attempt to clear his identify. An evaluation by The Nerve reveals that Go has acquired vital media protection for his public initiatives, principally monetary help applications, in comparison with different incumbent senators searching for reelection.

Dela Rosa and Go are holding their floor — for now — in response to Pulse Asia’s senatorial pre-election survey.

Go’s numbers are on an upward trajectory, along with his voter choice rising from 36.6% (ranked Fifth-Eighth) in June to 40.3% (ranked 4th-Seventh) in September.

In the meantime, Dela Rosa is barely hanging on to the so-called magic 12. His voter choice dropped by 5.1% factors, from 31.3% in June to 26.2% in September, inflicting his rating to slide from Seventh-Twelfth to Eleventh-14th.

This survey, nevertheless, has but to seize the potential fallout from ongoing Senate and Home investigations into Duterte’s struggle on medication.

Because the 2025 elections close to, will Dela Rosa and Go double down on their ties to the previous president, or will they attempt to construct new methods unbiased of his shadow?  – Rappler.com

This story is a part of Rappler and The Nerve’s ongoing collection capturing social media traits and public sentiment surrounding the highest senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections. Learn the earlier tales right here:

Decoded is a Rappler collection that explores the challenges and alternatives that include dwelling in transformative instances. It’s produced by The Nerve, a knowledge forensics firm that allows changemakers to navigate real-world traits and points by way of narrative and community investigations. Taking the most effective of human and machine, we allow companions to unlock highly effective insights that form knowledgeable selections. Composed of a staff of information scientists, strategists, award-winning storytellers, and designers, the corporate is on a mission to ship knowledge with real-world influence.