End mañanita talks, give us a chance, Sinas tells critics

MANILA, Philippines — It is time to put an end to the mañanita issue and give a chance to the country’s police force, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Debold Sinas told his critics on Wednesday.

Sinas made the remark after critics revived his alleged quarantine violations during the celebration of his mañanita (birthday fete) six months ago.

“Sa ngayon, tuldukan na natin ang mañanita. Na-imbestigahan na iyan. Na-imbestigahan na iyan nasa prosecutor na po. Six months na po iyan. Marami po akong gagawin [as] chief PNP,” Sinas told reporters after the change of command ceremony in the National Capital Region Police Headquarters.

(For now, stop that mañanita issue. It has been investigated, it is now with the prosecutor. It has been going on for six months. I still have much to do as PNP chief.)

“Sana kung nagco-cover kayo sa akin, makita ninyo naman kung ano talaga ang ginagawa namin so sana pagbigyan niyo naman kami,” he added.

(If you have been covering us, you can really see our efforts so I hope you give us a chance.)

Sinas, the 25th PNP chief, is known for the celebration of mañanita (birthday serenade) fete last May 8, which reportedly violated health protocols during the strict coronavirus lockdown.

Sinas, and 18 other policemen are currently facing criminal and administrative complaints before the Taguig prosecutor’s office over the controversial birthday serenade.

However, there is still no resolution from the prosecutor six months since the cases were filed.

The PNP top boss also said it would also be a waste of time to answer all the allegations, which has been going on since he was chief of Police Regional Office 7.

“Sinabi ko na, that’s part of the job. Sinusundan niyo naman ako since nag Region 7 [Central Visayas police] ako hanggang ngayon, part na po iyan [controversies]. Sabi ko nga sa inyo, hindi ko na pakialaman yung trabaho ninyo. Iyong mga batikos, kung iyon ang paniniwala mo wala ako magawa. Mauubos ang oras ko kung lahat po sasagutin ko,” Sinas said in response to criticisms against him.

(I already said, that’s part of the job. You have been following me since I was in Region 7 and up until now. These controversies are part of my job. As I have said, I am not interfering with your jobs. For those criticizing me, if that is your belief then I can’t do anything about it. Answering all these allegations is a waste of time.)

Under Sinas’ helm as then director of Central Visayas police, the Commission on Human Rights flagged the unsolved killings of people involved in illegal drug trade from 2018 to 2019.
 

EDV