Risa to late husband’s mistah Bato: Be mature, grow up

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday wished that her new colleague, Ronald Dela Rosa, would meet the challenges of being a senator, adding that the Senate was quite different from the Philippine National Police.

Hontiveros pointed out that it would be a test for former PNP chief to chair the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs which is expected to hear inquiries on extrajudicial killings blamed on President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war.

“Nasabi ko na rin dati na magiging challenging kasi for sure patuloy na may ihahaing resolution for inquiry on extrajudicial killings at pati ‘yung mga naganap na noon sa war on drugs ni Presidente,” Hontiveros said at a news forum.

“I’m hoping na si Sen Doroy ay idi-dispense ‘yung duty niya bilang committee chair with all the fairness and judiciousness dahil marami malamang sa iimbestigahan ay mga kaso niyang EJKs o kaya corruption o other abuses sa war on drugs na nagsimulang mangyari nung panahon na siya pa ‘yung chief PNP,” she added.

Doroy is Dela Rosa's nickname among his classmates in the Philippine Military Academy, among them Hontiveros late husband Francisco Baraquel Jr.

Hontiveros has filed a resolution seeking probe on the death of three-year-old Myca Ulpina who was killed during a buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal.

It will most likely be referred to the committee on public order and dangerous drugs that is expected to be chaired by Dela Rosa. 

Dela Rosa recently drew flak when he said, "Shit happens", after he was asked for a comment on the incident.

He has since apologized and vowed to be more circumspect about his remarks.

“I really hope and pray na magra-rise siya sa challenge bilang senador dahil ibang institusyon na ang Senado sa PNP,”  Hontiveros said.

“So maging professional tayo, maging mature, let’s grow up, napakaimportante ng mga trabahong dapat gawin dito sa Senado at mga laban na dapat ilaban,” she added.

Dela Rosa earlier said that he would avoid humiliating resource persons in the hearing as what happened to him when he attended a Senate probe a couple of years ago.

He said he cried during the hearing on extrajudicial killings when he was grilled by Hontiveros out of frustration and humiliation.

Hontiveros said most of the hearings conducted during the 17th Congress were done in a professional way

“Ako I feel that most if not all ‘yung mga committee hearings namin nung 17th Congress were conducted quite professionally," Hontiveros said.

"Mukhang  karamihan ng resource persons ay ganun ‘yung karanasan at naappreciate dahil karamihan naman ay hindi nagdrama,” she added. —NB, GMA News