Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday said he was willing to go to jail if proven guilty of ethics breach for his sponsored trip to Las Vegas to watch the fight of Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao.
In a press briefing in Camp Crame, Dela Rosa said he respects and welcomes the Office of the Ombudsman’s fact-finding investigation into his travel perks, but added that he had no regrets in accepting the sponsored trip to watch the Pacquiao-Vargas bout last Nov. 5.
“On my part naman kung talagang lalabas sa investigation na na ako ay may kasalanan na nagawa (if the investigation would reveal that I committed a wrongdoing) then I’m ready to go to jail kung ikulong nila ako (if they would imprison me). Okay lang sa akin magpapakulong ako kung ako talaga ay nagkamali (It’s all right for me to be put to jail if I committed a wrongdoing). Basta what’s important is that I’m honest…Kung nagawa ko yun (If I committed a wrongdoing) I’m man enough to go to jail if proven guilty,” he added.
The Ombudsman probe will look into possible criminal and administrative liabilities that Dela Rosa may have committed, particularly violations of Presidential Decree No. 46, which punishes public officials for receiving gifts “on any occasion,” as well as Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
But Dela Rosa maintained that his acceptance of free trip and accommodations from Pacquiao was not politically motivated.
“I’m ready to accept the consequences of actions. Anyway hindi po ako nagsisi dahil nabigyan ko ng quality time yung aking pamilya at libre pa. So okay lang kung mapunta ako sa kulungan at masaya pamilya ko at hindi yun kinorrupt na pera at hindi ko po hinihingi ‘yun,” Dela Rosa added.
The post ‘No Regrets’: Bato Ready for Jail Over Vegas Trip appeared first on Manila Bulletin
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