Bato dela Rosa clears name over bribery claims during Guo Senate probe

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (left) and Alice Guo. (Photos from Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate Social Media Unit/Joseph B. Vidal, OSP)

MANILA, Philippines — Former top-cop-turned-lawmaker Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was quick to clear his name, clarifying that he was not the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief being referred to as the one who received bribes and helped Alice Guo flee the country.

Dela Rosa took his opportunity to clear his name during the Senate panel on women’s Tuesday probe.

This, after Pagcor senior vice president Raul Villanueva revealed that a former PNP chief allegedly received bribes to help Guo, alias Guo Hua Ping, and her companions – Shiela and Wesley Guo –  escape from the country despite being under an immigration lookout bulletin.

“Merong sinabi si Gen. Villanueva na meron daw isang former Chief PNP receiving a monthly payroll from you. Pwede bang malaman kung sinong former chief PNP? I am concerned because I am a former chief PNP. Baka mamaya merong lalabas na script diyan na si Bato ay tumatanggap ng pera galing sa’yo,” said dela Rosa, talking directly to Guo.

(Gen. Villanueva said there is a former Chief PNP receiving a monthly payroll from you. Do you know who the former Chief PNP is? I am concerned because I am a former PNP chief. Maybe later there will be a script out there saying that I am accepting money from you.)

The dismissed Bamban mayor said no such thing happened.

“Sigurado ka?” asked dela Rosa.  (Are you sure?)

“Sigurado po ako. Wala pong gano’ng nangyayari,” Guo answered. (I am sure. No such thing happened.)

The senator then repeatedly asked if Guo knew him personally and if they had already met in person. According to the ousted mayor, she does not know the lawmaker personally, adding that they have never met in person before.

“Siniguro ko lang dahil baka mamaya may lalabas na script diyan na ako ‘yung former Chief PNP na tumatanggap sa’yo ng pera. Klaruhin ko lang ito,” said dela Rosa.

READ: Ex-PNP chief allegedly took bribe to help Alice Guo, siblings flee PH

(I just made sure because maybe later a script will come out that I am the former Chief PNP who accepts money from you. I’ll just clear it up.)

He then shifted his attention to Villanueva, directly asking the retired general who is the former PNP chief he was pertaining to.

“I don’t have any confirmation but I’m sure you’re not the one, I think so,” said Villanueva.