Even after Major General Debold Sinas broke quarantine rules and faced a criminal complaint filed by the Philippine National Police, PNP chief General Camilo Cascolan believes that the Metro Manila top cop deserves a promotion.

Cascolan said this in media interviews on Wednesday, September 16.

Asked in an interview on ANC whether Sinas would be replaced, Cascolan said: “We have to evaluate him properly. The guy deserves also an evaluation, and of course, a promotion, too.”

Pressed to explain in a Camp Crame interview with reporters why he believed that Sinas deserved a promotion despite his infamous “mañanita” gaffe, Cascolan said: “There may be flaws or lapses on his part, [but] in evaluation alone, he has done his job well. That’s all I can say.”

Why does this matter?

Sinas has become one of the most controversial generals in the PNP, after he allowed his subordinates to throw him a birthday celebration inside the Metro Manila police headquarters in Taguig City, violating the lockdown rule against mass gatherings and also on social distancing.

Because of the gathering, which top police officials had earlier tried to downplay as a “mañanita” or a birthday serenade, the PNP filed criminal and administrative complaints against Sinas.

Still, Sinas enjoyed the support of President Rodrigo Duterte, who said he needed him in the PNP. – Rappler.com