Albayalde admits accepting food as gifts during special occasions

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said he also accepted gifts but only limited to food items during special occasions.

“Pagkain? Of course, I am not a hypocrite. Hindi ako ipokrito. Kumain din ako ng lechon,” Albayalde told reporters after the 118th National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) police service in Taguig City on Tuesday when asked if he accepts gifts from the public.

Albayalde said the PNP also receives food from the public during anniversaries.

“Pagkain, yes of course during anniversaries we accept food… These things are consumable,” Albayalde said.

When asked if he accepts expensive tokens, Albayalde said his wife buys expensive things for him.

“Hindi ko alam most of my things wife ko nagbibigay sa akin kasi di ko mabili. I could hardly buy expensive things for myself,” Albayalde said.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday said he accepted gifts such as expensive Lacoste shirts during Christmas and lechon when he was chief of the PNP.  /muf

Albayalde also noted that “discretion of a person” is important when accepting any kind of gift.

“Napaka-importante ang discretion ng tao. If you think na pagkain yan at binigay sayo at may hinihinging kapalit whether it is insignificant in amount, insignificant in value, kung may kapalit yan, that is a form of corruption,” Albayalde said.

READ: Dela Rosa confesses to accepting gifts when he was still cop

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