Sinas not cleared yet over mañanita mess despite appointment as PNP chief
MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Debold Sinas is not yet off the hook over the mañanita controversy, Malacañang said Monday.
“I don’t think so po, that’s not how our laws operate,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing when asked if Sinas’ appointment clears him from charges.
READ: Duterte appoints Sinas as new PNP chief
Sinas and 18 other police officers are facing criminal charges for allegedly violating quarantine protocols during the celebration of the now-top cop’s birthday.
Sinas apologized over the fiasco but insisted that he and other police officers followed health protocols during the mañanita, the traditional dawn serenade for a senior PNP official.
At the height of criticisms against Sinas, President Rodrigo Duterte backed the then National Capital Region Police Office director and said he will keep him in his post.
