Manny Pacquiao to the rescue.
The Filipino boxer-senator came to the defense of his future colleague Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa yesterday after the latter was criticized for admitting that he still needs to learn what it entails to be a senator.
“He’s knowledgable but he was probably pertaining to [learning] the processes in the Senate, the rules of the Senate,” Pacquiao said in Filipino during their party PDP-Laban’s first press conference after the elections, according to reports.
De la Rosa is poised to win a Senate seat for the first time, based on the latest partial and unofficial count from the Commission on Elections. As of 8:29am today, he is at number five of 12 available seats.
However, the former Philippine National Police Chief who launched the bloody drug war has admitted that he still needs to learn how to be a senator. In an interview with CNN Philippines the day after the elections, he said that he wants to take seminars on lawmaking.
“Is there is a seminar or training [for this]? So that I can learn how to make laws and what our job is in the Senate. If there’s any, I will take that opportunity so I could learn. I will study and plan my actions,” he said.
READ: Incoming Senator Bato de la Rosa wants to attend lawmaking seminars
This admittance did not sit well with his critics, who said that he should have prepared before running.
During yesterday’s press conference, Pacquiao suggested that de la Rosa can take classes on lawmaking from the Development Academy of the Philippines, just like him. He also volunteered to help de la Rosa learn the ropes.
“If they ask about what I know about processes in the Senate, I will share what I know. They won’t start until July, they can study for one, two weeks,” he said.
Pacquiao has about nine years experience as a lawmaker, first becoming a Representative of the lone district of Sarangani province in 2010, then later becoming a senator in 2016. However, he has also been criticized for his low attendance in sessions.
READ: News anchor Karen Davila gets hate for grilling Manny Pacquiao about college degree
Apart from Pacquiao, other politicians have also defended de la Rosa. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that critics should not belittle the incoming senator and even said that he should be commended for admitting his weaknesses.
“Those who question his capacity seem to forget that General Bato is a PMA (Philippine Military Academy) graduate. Aren’t PMA graduates known for their intellect, their capabilities?” Panelo said, according to CNN Philippines.
Senator Ping Lacson, who also previously headed the PNP, said that he would take de la Rosa under his wing.
“Bato need not worry. He will undergo another period of ‘plebehood’ under my supervision since we are both in the majority bloc,” Lacson told The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
