Sinas on Duterte defending him anew over mañanita: ‘Natuwa ako pero at the same time nahihiya’

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas on Monday expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for defending him anew over the mañanita controversy following his designation as father of the police force.

In his speech during his first flag raising ceremony in Camp Crame, Sinas said he had mixed emotions over Duterte "pardoning" him over his birthday celebration last May as strict quarantine measures were being observed in Metro Manila.

"I'd like to thank the President for the trust and confidence. Ako po ay parang nahihiya na ko kay President lalong [dinepensahan] na naman po niya ulit ako tungkol po doon sa mañanita, ilang araw pa lang na ganon," Sinas said.

"I have mixed feelings. Natuwa ako pero at the same time nahihiya. I'm very happy for the support of the President for me as his chief PNP," he added.

Over the weekend, Duterte said the mañanita issue was just a "small thing." He said it was not Sinas' fault if his men surprised him on his birthday.

"Alam mo kasi ‘yang mañanita, it’s a religious, almost a religious ritual. Nakaugalian na talaga ng mga Pilipino. Hindi kasalanan ng pobreng Sinas na ‘yan na pumunta sila doon, hindi naman niya alam," Duterte said.

"At kung may kasalanan siya doon, pardon na siya. Wala akong nakitang kasalanan na masama na may moral implications, may kasamang malisya, wala," he added.

Sinas earlier urged the public to move on from the issue, saying that the decision on the criminal complaints filed against him is already in the hands of the Taguig City Prosecutor's Office. — RSJ, GMA News