MANILA – Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Thursday said he was willing willing to share his knowledge about Senate work with former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is poised to become a member of the upper chamber of Congress.

At the first press conference of PDP-Laban after the elections, Pacquiao, who had also been a member of the House of Representatives, defended Dela Rosa from critics.

“Hindi naman sinabi natin walang alam si Bato. May alam siya pero ang ibig siguro niyang sabihin yung proseso ng Senado, yung rules ng Senate,” Pacquiao said.

(It's not that we are saying that Bato knows nothing. He was referring to the processes and rules in the Senate.)

“Kung mag-ask sila about sa alam ko sa proseso sa senado, kung ano ang alam kong mai-share ko sa kanila. July pa naman sila mag-start, pwede pa silang mag-aral ng isang linggo, dalawang linggo.”

(If they will ask me to share my knowledge, I will. The new Congress will start in July. They can still study for one or two weeks.)

Dela Rosa earlier said he needed training on how to craft laws, which is the essence of his work as a legislator.

"Meron bang seminar diyan o ano bang training diyan para matutunan ko 'yung paano gawin 'yung batas. Ano ba ang mga trabaho namin diyan sa Senado? Kung merong ganun, I will take that opportunity para matuto ako," he said Tuesday night in an interview on CNN Philippines.

(Is there is a seminar or training where I could learn on how to make laws? What's our work in the Senate? If there's any, I will take that opportunity so I could learn.)

Pacquiao said Dela Rosa may seek training on legislation from the Development Academy of the Philippines, like what he did.

He said Dela Rosa is sincere and has knowledge of the problems of the society.

Dela Rosa served as President Rodrigo Duterte's top cop in Davao City. He became the government’s chief enforcer of Duterte's anti-drug campaign when he was national police chief.