Senator Ronald Dela Rosa expects the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to do better than former President Rodrigo Duterte’s.

In a statement, he welcomed the pronouncement of Marcos during his recent inauguration that he shares the dreams of Filipinos that no one will be left behind.

“Ako’y nagdarasal, ako’y umaasa na masobrahan pa nila ‘yung kabutihang naibigay ng (I am praying, I’m hoping that they can give more than the) previous administration. Hindi naman tayo umaasa na pababa ‘yung (There shouldn’t be a lower) trend of governance ng ating bansa. Dapat paakyat, pataas (in our country. It should improve),” Dela Rosa said Sunday.

Dela Rosa said the Senate would maintain its independence while closely cooperating with the Chief Executive on his legislative agenda.

“Wala naman sigurong iniisip ‘yung ating Pangulo kundi para sa kabutihan ng ating bansa so, susuporta tayo (I am sure our President is always thinking about the welfare of our country, we will support him). But then again, we will maintain our independence as the Senate,” he assured.

As a Mindanao native, Dela Rosa is hoping Marcos will maintain “balanced development” across the country as what Duterte implemented.

“I will be rooting for him pagdating sa promise na ‘yon dahil alam mo (when it comes to that promise because you know), I am from Mindanao and we’ve been, you know, we’ve been lagging behind from all aspects of development since noon pa (then). So ito ngayon medyo, panahon ni Pangulong Duterte, medyo nabigyang pansin ang Mindanao, so sana po ay tuloy-tuloy na (During the time of President Duterte, Mindanao was given attention so I hope it will continue),” he said. (PNA)