Duterte lets Sinas off the hook over mañanita mess: Pardon na siya

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte has absolved police chief Debold Sinas from mañanita controversy.

In May Sinas drew flak over his pre-birthday celebration at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City that allegedly violated quarantine restrictions on mass gatherings.

“This is my call. I take full responsibility but I also guarantee [Sinas’] competence and expertise in police work,” Duterte said in a televised message Saturday.

The Chief Executive explained that mañanita is “almost a religious ritual,” a military and police tradition of serenading a birthday celebrant early in the morning.

“Hindi kasalanan ng pobreng Sinas na yan na pumunta sila doon. Hindi naman niya alam. Mañanita nga, surprise. Alang-alang naman sipain niya doon, eh di kausapin niya,” he said.

“Kung may kasalanan siya doon, pardon na siya. Wala akong nakitang kasalanan na masama na may moral implications, may masamang malisya, wala,” added Duterte.

The Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs Service filed a criminal complaint against then National Capital Region Police Office chief police Sinas and his subordinates

The PNP Internal Affairs Service filed before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office a complaint against the then Metro Manila police chief and 18 other police officers and men over his recent birthday celebration.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)