Last May 26, first-time Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was heard saying “Sarap ng buhay, sarap ng buhay, ganito nalang tayo palagi ha?” after the conclusion of the Senate’s publicized session. Bato was smiling and laughing as he made the remark.

During the session, the Senate tackled two bills: one aiming to amend the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and the other to amend Republic Act No. 7797 or “An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days.” Bato did not raise any points during the session.

WATCH: “Ang sarap ng buhay. Sarap ng buhay. Ganito na lang tayo palagi ha,” Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was heard telling his colleagues in jest at the end of the Senate regular session on Tuesday, May 26. | @MRamosINQ pic.twitter.com/ck3fdGbFoQ

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 26, 2020

The “hybrid” plenary lasted less than two hours, which is short compared to the seven-hour daily average of the Senate’s recent three-day marathon of hearings. According to Bato, this is the reason behind the remark. “Kaya nasabi kong ang sarap nang buhay kasi mas mabilis ang talakayan ng bills kapag naka-(WebEx) kami at mas maaga matapos ang session,” said Bato.

On the same day Bato made the “sarap ng buhay” remark, the Philippines reached 14,669 COVID-19 cases, with May 26 garnering the highest single-day tally of new cases since Apr. 6.

May 26 also marks what would have been the 20th birthday of Kian Delos Santos, a minor who was murdered due to police brutality in 2017. The murder happened in August of 2017, when Bato was still serving as the chief director of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

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