Bato: What propriety? Vegas trip was free

Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa —RAFFY LERMA

“I don’t care about propriety. All I know is that it’s free.”

Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa made this statement in response to criticisms that he violated the law in accepting a trip to Las Vegas sponsored by Sen. Manny Pacquiao to watch the boxing champion’s bout with American Jessie Vargas.

Arriving on Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) at past 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Dela Rosa spoke briefly on the podium set for Pacquiao who completely outclassed his opponent Vargas to regain the World Boxing Organization welterweight title.

Inappropriate

The PNP Chief said in Filipino, “I am really thankful. That trip was not from my personal money. It was Senator Manny’s.”

To detractors who are saying that it was inappropriate for him to have accepted the free vacation from the senator, Dela Rosa replied: “Bahala na ang propriety na iyan (I don’t care about propriety). All I know is it’s free so I grabbed the opportunity.”

“After all, we (he and Pacquiao) both came from poverty. We had this vacation and we’re really happy about it,” Dela Rosa said.

Warm welcome

For his part, Pacquiao said he was ready to get back to work at the Senate.

“I am really thankful for the warm welcome. Thank you for the prayers and the support. I immediately returned from the fight because of the work I have to do at the office,” he said.

While he was amazed at the sizeable crowd at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas and was looking forward to Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s coming out of retirement to face him in a rematch, he said: “I have to set aside boxing for a while and work first.”