PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa recently got back to the Philippines after his trip to the US to watch Senator Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Jessie Vargas.
He then admitted to having been treated by the senator to an all-expenses paid trip for him and his family, leading the Ombudsman to open an investigation for this supposed act of bribery.
When asked about his opinion regarding these actions made by the Ombudsman, Chief Dela Rosa told the GMA News “Quick Response Team” that he is ready to suffer the consequences of accepting such an opportunity.
“Kung talagang kasalanan pala sa isang chief PNP na sayang yung tsansa na i-grab mo na hindi naman kriminal si Senator Pacquiao, hindi naman siya drug lord, hindi naman siya sindikato, hindi naman siya businessman na… maikompromise ang aking opisina,” Dela Rosa told Bernadette Reyes in an interview on QRT.
Senator Pacquiao will be investigated as well for possibly violating laws that prohibit government officials from receiving gifts that have very substantial value.
These laws include Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Presidential Decree No. 46.
During the call with GMA News, Chief Dela Rosa also explained that he accepted the gift not as the PNP chief, but as a long-time friend of the senator.
The chief said that he and Pacquiao go back a long time and said that they were friends even before he got famous.
“Matagal na po kaming mag-kaibigan, matagal na kaming magka-kumpare. Hindi pa siya sikat na boxer, magkaibigan na kami. At pareho ang aming hilig, boxing kasi pareho po kaming laki sa hirap at nakikita naming boxing ang pwedeng aangat sa buhay namin,” he said.
Chief Dela Rosa claimed that Senator Pacquaio did not use public funds for the gifts.
Source: TNP , GMANetwork
Post a Comment