(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has defended the showing of the biopic of Bureau of Corrections chief and senatorial candidate Ronald Dela Rosa that hit theaters on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
According to Duterte, who spoke to reporters in an interview after the premiere night of “Bato The Movie: The General Ronald Dela Rosa Story” in a Mandaluyong mall the day before, the biopic was merely a “tribute to an officer and a soldier of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Duterte issued the statement following speculations the showing was an election offense.
The Commission on Elections, has, however, clarified that the Omnibus Election Code only bans the showing of cinematographic work of candidates during the campaign period, which in this case runs from Feb. 12 to May 11.
“He is really what is being portrayed here in that movie. He has the b*lls and he has the heart,” Duterte said.
