Bato dela Rosa hints at possible presidential bid

MANILA, Philippines — PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Monday assured his retired colleagues that their pension would be increased if he becomes president, hinting at a possible future bid for the top post of the land.

The police chief made the statement following complaints from police retirees that they are being left out of the planned pay increase next year.

"Hintayin ninyo maging presidente si Bato. Gawin kong quadruple 'yung sweldo ninyo," Dela Rosa said referring to himself in the third person, according to a video posted by radio dzMM. ("Just wait that Bato becomes president, i will quadruple your pay.)

Dela Rosa, who is up for retirement in January 2018, added that they are still crafting a proposal to include retirees in the planned compensation adjustment for military and uniformed personnel.

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"Pinag-aaralan pa what is the best option na lahat tayo makikinabang sa intention na tumaas ang sweldo," Dela Rosa said. ("I'm still studying how all of us will benefit from the plan to hike pay.")

The PNP chief, however, said that they have not yet submitted a position paper to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as active policemen are the priority.

Last month, the Congress came up with a draft joint resolution doubling the base pay of a police officer 1 in the PNP, the most junior rank equivalent to a private in the Department of National Defense and related government agencies.

The proposal also covers personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Public Safety College, Philippine Coast Guard and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

The Office of the President had concurred with the draft resolution that the DBM had prepared.

If signed by both houses of Congress, a PO1 will enjoy a 100-percent increase in monthly base pay from P14,834 pesos to P29,668.

Before Dela Rosa made an informal announcement of a possible presidential bid, he advised Vice President Leni Robredo, who has repeatedly denied wanting to become president, to set aside her ambition and instead support President Rodrigo Duterte.

"If she wants to be president, she can try but she should let the current administration and the president finish the job," the police chief previously said in Filipino.  — Patricia Lourdes Viray

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