Duterte tells birthday boy Bato: Be strong as a rockMANILA, Philippines — Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte greeted Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on his 64th birthday, as he told him to be “strong like a rock,” according to Vice President Sara Duterte. “Earlier, I spoke to president Duterte and I told him that it’s Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s birthday. I told him if he has a birthday message for Sen. Bato dela Rosa. He said, ‘Happy birthday, Sen. Bato. Be strong like a rock.’ That’s his wish,” the Vice President said in The Hague, Netherlands.

Source: Philippine Star January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC