Bato lightens mood at Senate inquiry with bathroom break request

PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa, Sen. Lyn Rillon/PDI

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa provided comic relief in the ongoing Senate investigation into the spate of killings Tuesday when he asked to be excused to answer the call of nature.

“Madam chair, can I go to the comfort room please?” De la Rosa said as Senator Leila de Lima, chair of the Senate committee on justices and human rights, was about to recognize another senator to ask questions.

“Kanina pa ako Ma’am, ihing-ihi na talaga ako e (I’ve been needing to use the bathroom since awhile ago),” the PNP chief added, eliciting laughter from the hearing room.

“That’s your human right,” De Lima said in jest before suspending the proceedings for two minutes.

De la Rosa had been answering queries from senators since the committee began its hearing shortly before 10 a.m., or more than three hours when he asked for a break. JE/rga