Duterte to appoint PNP chief Bato as the next BuCor chief

FILE: President Rodrigo R. Duterte puts on the pershing cap on the head of Police Director General Ronald De la Rosa during his assumption in office as chief of the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame, Quezon City. (Photo: Kiwi Bulaclac/ PPD)

President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed on Tuesday night that he will appoint Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as the next Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief after his retirement.

The President, during the Malacañang Press Corps Christmas party on Tuesday night, announced that Dela Rosa is set to head BuCor after his retirement on January 21, 2018.

Earlier, Dela Rosa said that he is ready to take the challenge of the chief executive.

“I don’t run away from challenges lalong lalo na kung ang magbigay sa akin ng challenge ay ‘yung mga tao na pinakarespetado ko na tao [Especially if the person who will give me the challenge is someone who I respect the most] Talagang [surely] I will take on the challenge. Hindi ko siya ipapahiya, gagawin ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko [I will not let him down, I will do everything I can],” he added.

Prior to the President’s announcement, the PNP chief revealed that the President had promised him a position in the government when he leaves PNP. He didn’t say what agency he would work in but hinted that it is the “toughest” government job.

“The President told me kung ano ang pupuntahan ko pero napakahirap na trabaho [what kind of task he will give me but it is a hard task], the most challenging na trabaho sa buong gobyerno [post in the government]. Ang sabi niya [he said] where everyone failed, I expect you to succeed,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference.

BuCor is currently headed by retired police Chief Superintendent Valfrie Tabian as officer-in-charge.