MANILA - Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Friday said he was sure to run for a government post in 2019.

Dela Rosa, however, said the position he would seek would be up to President Rodrigo Duterte, for whom he had served as national police chief.

"Until now, I am still awaiting the final instructions of the President as to—definitely, definitely I’m running but as to what elective post, I still don’t know," he said.

"Pinipilian pa niya kung magtatakbo sa Senate o sa governor ng Davao del Sur."

(He is still choosing if I will run for Senate or governor of Davao del Sur.)

Dela Rosa said he would wait for the President's instruction.

"Last time kami nag-usap sabi niya, Davao del Sur na lang para matulungan mo ang ating probinsiya. But then, napag-isip-isipan niya na pumapasok tayo sa survey, sa magic 12 pumapasok tayo so pig-kokonsidera din niya," he said.

(The last time we talked, he said I should run in Davao del Sur so I can help our province. But then he saw that I am making it in the survey, in the magic 12 [of preferred senatorial candidates] so he is considering it.)

Dela Rosa served as Duterte's police chief when the latter was Davao City Mayor.

He earlier said he was flattered by results of an opinion poll which showed he was among frontrunners for the 2019 senatorial elections.

• 'Bato' on Senate survey: Flattered, but too early to decide

In May, Dela Rosa said he would run for senator in the upcoming 2019 elections if given the chance, but would leave the decision up to Duterte.

• 'He made me': Bato mulls Senate run, leaves fate to Duterte

In February, Duterte quipped that Dela Rosa wants to run for governor.

• 'Bato’ wants to run for governor, Duterte quips

-- Report from Mylce Mella, ABS-CBN News