MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao defended pro-administration senatorial bet Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa after the former top cop said he may need to undergo a seminar to learn the ropes at the Senate.

“May alam siya (Dela Rosa) […] ang ibig siguro niyang sabihin yung proseso ng Senado. Yung inside…yung rules ng Senate, yun ang ibig niyang sabihin. Pero about sa kaalaman, may alam yan, nagserbisyo na sa government yan eh, experience na niya ilang taon na,” the Senator said in a press conference in Manila on Thursday.

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(He knows something. Maybe what he means is he needs to learn the processes and rules at the Senate. But he served the government for years. He has the experience, so he knows something.)

Pacquiao is the national campaign manager of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

READ: Bato ready to become senator? Ex-top cop says ‘May seminar ba dyan?’

Pacquiao added that De La Rosa’s more than 30 years in government service is a big thing. But he probably needs to learn the legislative process.

Dela Rosa, whose Senate bid was backed heavily by President Rodrigo Duterte, previously served as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNO) before he was tapped to lead the Bureau of Corrections.

Dela Rosa and former presidential aide Bong Go were part of the five-man slate of PDP-Laban poised to secure a Senate seat as they are comfortably in the third and fifth spot of the senatorial race, respectively, according to the latest partial and unofficial tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

READ: Bong Go, Bato Dela Rosa top Senate race in Davao City

Pacquiao said that despite being Senate rookies, Go and Dela Rosa still has time to learn the rules and procedures at the Senate.

“Kung maga-ask sila sa alam ko sa proseso sa Senado, kung ano yung alam ko mai-share ko sakanila, anyway alam naman siguro nila yun,” Pacuiao said in a press conference in Manila when asked what he can share to Go and Dela Rosa.

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(If they ask me on what I know about processes at the Senate, I can share something. But maybe they know that already.)

“At July pa naman sila mag-start, so pwede pa silang mag-aral ng isang linggo, dalawang linggo (Their term will start in July so they have one or two weeks to prepare),” he added. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

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