Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has acknowledged his failed attempt to remove the power of local executive over police officers getting appointed in their turf.
Dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, made the admission days after Mayor Janice Degamo, widow of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, lamented over what she sees as snail-paced progress in her husband’s murder.
In a recent interview over at Teleradyo Serbisyo, Mayor Degamo also expressed disappointment that nothing much has happened after congressional hearings.
Sought for comment, Dela Rosa said: “Andyan naman, ano pa bang pangyayari na gusto niya?”
“Nadiskubre naman lahat. Nakita naman lahat. Ano bang gusto niya, habulin natin si kwan, sino ‘yun, si Congressman doon sa abroad? Eh, dapat doon na sa executive branch ng government ‘yung aksyon na ‘yan kasi ‘yung kriminal kasi ay nandoon naman … Hawak naman ng [Department of Justice] ‘yung criminal,” the senator added.
On the legislative side, Dela Rosa insisted that he really fought hard to include a provision in the proposed Philippine National Police (PNP) Organizational Reforms Act (Senate Bill 2449), that would remove the power of politicians and/or local executives to choose their chief of police and provincial police directors.
But such provision was met by heavy opposition from his own colleagues, the senator said.
“‘Yun nga, nag-propose ako sa PNP na tanggalin ‘yung power ng local chief executives sa pagpili ng mga provincial director at saka Chief of Police para mawalan ng kontrol ‘yung mga politiko, mga abusadong politiko doon sa mga local police nila. But then again, I was met with a very strong opposition coming from my colleagues,” Dela Rosa said.
“Wala, hindi nakalusot ‘yung aking probisyon na ‘yun kundi I had to give in to opposition dahil madadamay ‘yung buong PNP Reorganization Bill kung hindi ko ‘yun tatanggalin na probisyon. So ‘yun, tinanggal ko, as usual. Balik as usual. So ‘yun mga nakita natin na pinaka-policy na pwede nating ma-legislate,” he added.
Last year, Dela Rosa led a series of public hearings regarding the spate of killings of local executives. Among them was Degamo’s case.
The public hearing was even highlighted by the face-off of Degamo’s widow and former Negros Oriental Governor Henry Pryde Teves — the brother of dismissed Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves, suspect in the Degamo murder.
The former congressman remains in hiding and is said to be staying in Timor Leste.
“Kaya nga tayo nag-conduct ng hearing to come up with … in aid of legislation para makapag-conduct tayo ng mga polisiya na pwedeng makabigay ng lunas sa ganung klaseng sitwasyon, sa mga pangyayari para mapigilan na. But then again, nahirapan tayo. Nahirapan tayo ipalusot ‘yung probisyon na ‘yun so hindi nakalusot,” Dela Rosa said. (ABS-CBN News)