PERA NA, NAGING BIGAS PA. President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer give cash bonuses to star rank police officials, Malacañang and the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, who announced Monday that Duterte has allocated P100,000 to P400,000 for each top cop, said star rank officials will now only receive a sack of rice.

The Palace, he added, became discouraged to release the Christmas bonuses due to his announcement.

Cash gift para sa mga PNP official, naudlot, ayon kay PNP Chief Dela Rosa pic.twitter.com/SgpVyEsbNJ | via @dzmmPatrol44 — DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) December 20, 2016

"Iyung kahapon na ini-announce ko, supposed to be naghintay kami kahapon. Kaso noong nag-press con tayo, maraming nagtatanong kung saan ang source, saan galing. Na-discourage ang Malacañang magbigay hanggang nag-gabi na lang," he said.

"Sabi nila, baka before mag-New Year, bigyan na lang kami ng tig-isang sako ng bigas."

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella also said the cash gifts may no longer be released.

"It has not been given and is apparently, not forthcoming," he told reporters.

Dela Rosa's announcement of the cash gift for high-ranking policemen sparked questions about where Duterte sourced the funds and why the bonus would not cover cops below the star rank.

Abella on Tuesday morning said Malacañang was still seeking confirmation on where President Rodrigo Duterte had sourced the now cancelled cash bonus.

-- With a report form Henry Atuelan, DZMM

