Chiz Escudero calls for permanent appointments at PNP
Senator Chiz Escudero is pushing for the permanent assignment and appointment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief as well as heads of various crucial posts in the police force being headed by officials in acting capacity, to ensure peace and order ahead of the 2016 general elections.
“Nakakalungkot lang kasi hindi lang PNP chief. I think there are about 30 chiefs of police and provincial directors who are all in acting status,” Escudero told a breakfast forum. “The government should address this as we approach the elections. Dapat permanente at item ang posisyon at assignment lalong-lalo na ang mga pulis.”
The 147,966-strong PNP, until now, is headed by officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, who is set to retire on July 19.
Escudero lamented the lack of certainty in the tenure of police officers with acting status, who always face the possibility of being removed or replaced anytime.
“They cannot be at the mercy of the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Govenrment) and of Napolcom (National Police Commission),” the lawmaker pointed out. “Pag appointed from a list submitted to the governor or the mayor, as the law provides, may tenure sila. Hindi security of tenure, tenure lang.”
Under the law, the Napolcom nominates three potential candidates for police chiefs to local government executives for approval, or assign an OIC should the mayor or governor rejects the list of names.
“Ang problema – may mga balita na sinasadya minsan – ang nilalagay na mga pangalang pagpipilian ng mga gobernor o mayor, ‘yung mga ayaw niya talaga. Kaya ang dulo, mag-a-appoint ng mga acting palagi ang Napolcom at DILG, which is unfair. That is a circumvention of the law,” Escudero said.
