PNoy not considering 2016 polls in search for new PNP chief – Palace

President Benigno Aquino III is not considering the 2016 polls in choosing the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, a Malacañang official said Friday.

 

At a press briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Usec. Abigail Valte brushed aside criticisms made by the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) that political considerations are in play in Aquino’s search for the new PNP chief.

 

“Peripheral. I can assure you that whenever the President interviews or is in search of candidates for a particular position, what he has in mind are the qualifications of any candidate,” Valte said in reaction to UNA’s statements.

 

She added that President Aquino assesses candidates for PNP chief based “on the demands of the office that is supposed to be filled.”

 

On Thursday, UNA interim president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco accused the Aquino-chaired Liberal Party of lobbying for Deputy General Marcelo Garbo Jr.’s appointment as new PNP chief.

 

Tiangco claimed the LP has a plan to fill all important posts in the PNP with its allies ahead of the 2016 presidential polls.

 

The UNA executive also accused Aquino of violating the Office of the Ombudsman’s suspension on resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, when the President involved the police official in the deadly January 25 Mamasapano operation.

 

Legal intricacies being studied

 

During the same briefing, Valte said Aquino and his legal team are studying the “intricacies” of appointing a new PNP chief.

 

The Palace official said the President recognizes the fact that Purisima still holds the four-star rank, which is required to have full police chief capacity, despite the police official’s resignation last month from his post.

 

“Matagal na pong pinapatingnan din ng Pangulo ‘yan and remember that the former chief of the PNP is retiring November pa of this year. So that is an issue that is being studied already,” Valte said.

 

Valte likewise said she did not have information if Aquino is discussing with Purisima the possibility of an early retirement.She added that Aquino is “quite aware of the urgencies of appointing a chief PNP.”

 

On Thursday, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. explained that the next PNP chief will hold office in an acting capacity until Purisima’s retirement in November.