Albayalde congratulates ‘Bato’ on Senate race lead: He deserves it

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde congratulated his classmate and former PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa for leading in the Senate race, saying Dela Rosa “deserved it.”

“Of course, as a classmate and as an individual, I would like to congratulate Sen. Bato. I think he deserves it,” Albayalde said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Tuesday on updates about the elections.

Albayalde made the statement after Dela Rosa landed at fifth place with 18,169,994 votes according to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) Transparency Server’s unofficial and partial tally at 11:50 a.m.

Asked if he would follow Dela Rosa’s footsteps, Albayalde  reiterated that he has no political ambitions.

“Wala po akong intention na tumakbo as a politician come 2022, wala po akong political ambition,” he said.

Albayalde steps down as PNP chief in November this year when he retires. He said he will leave it to the President to decide his next possible government posting.

“And with regards to my career after retirement, that would be up to the President,” Albayalde said.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

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