Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is facing another big problem aside from resolving the drug trafficking and drug trading in the country.
He is facing controversy after attending the boxing match of senator Manny Pacquiao vs Jessie Vargas for the WBC Welterweight Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, which later won by Manny Pacquiao in a unanimous decision.
The PNP Chief admitted during an interview with the media upon their arrival along with Manny Pacquiao in the country that senator Pacquiao took care of his and his family's airfare, accommodations, and even allowances that he accepted because “All I know is it's free so I grabbed the opportunity". said directly on the media.
But his comment about accepting free trips coming from senator Pacquiao resulted in an investigation made by The Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman chairman Conchita Carpio-Morales criticize the legality of PNP Chief actions by accepting free expenses to Las Vegas.
According to law, Presidential Decree No. 46 and Republic Act 6713, or the code of conduct for public officials. Public officials like PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa cannot or prohibited from accepting gifts, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value so that it can prevent the possibility of corruption and graft among public officials.
Meanwhile, senator Pacquiao admitted that this is not the first time that he give free trip to a government official’s either as a senator or congressman? He has been doing this even before he was not yet elected as congressman.
But decided not to mention their names? That might implicate more to the Office of the Ombudsman?
