A police official said Wednesday that Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas will still be facing charges for possible criminal and administrative liabilities over his controversial mañanita.
Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the investigation on administrative liability of Sinas and 18 other policemen who were accused of disregarding the rules on mass gathering and physical distancing is part of the process in the organization.
“The administrative liability is separate from a decision for him to stay (in his position as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). While he stays in his position, the investigation and the administrative proceedings will continue,” said Banac.
Sinas was already charged before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office using the photos uploaded in the NCRPO website—which the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) said speaks of the violations committed.
But despite the controversy created by the mañanita which boiled down on the allegation of double standard in the implementation of the quarantine rules, President Duterte defended Sinas and decided that he would stay as Metro Manila police chief.
Aside from Sinas, netizens tagged Senator Koko Pimentel and Mocha Uson as the symbol of double standard in the implementation of strict quarantine rules. The two are known close allies of President Duterte.
On the other hand, more than 51,000 people were arrested while at least 17,000 people were fined for violating the home quarantine rules from March 17 to May 18 based on the PNP data.
“We accept the statement of the President and Major General Sinas will stay. But despite the President’s statement, the investigation will continue,” said Banac.
Right now, banac said they are focused on the implementation of the protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. (Aaron Recuenco)
