Eleazar backs fixed terms for PNP, AFP chiefs
Former national police chief and senatorial candidate Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar is inclined to support any legislation that will provide a fixed term for the chiefs of PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as this will solve the government’s problem on the revolving door system.
The revolving door refers to the quick change in an organization’s leadership where chiefs only serve for a short period of time.
“For so long a time, iyon ang nakita natin na ginagawa sa ating bansa. Umuubra siya kasi technically, pwede naman siyang gawin sa Constitution natin. Pero kung ako ang tatanungin kung mas maganda ba na may fixed term na mas mahaba ang PNP at AFP chiefs? Mas maganda iyon,” said Eleazar, who is now running for senator in the May 9 elections.
Eleazar, who served as the top cop for only six months, said a fixed term will ensure the continuity of the plans and programs of the PNP and AFP chiefs since they have enough time to see to it they are being implemented.
Under the current situation, the PNP and AFP chief are getting a replacement after they reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 years old.
“Suportado ko na magkaroon ng minimum tenure na at least three years para sa PNP at AFP chief. Isipin niyo ako 56 years old and I just retired last November. Sayang ‘yung investment ng gobyerno sa mga opisyal na nasa peak ka ng career mo ay magre-retire ka,” he said.
“It would be better kung may fixed term than what we have right now. Ito kasing revolving door ay nakakaapekto adversely sa atin dahil kailangan mag-adjust nang mag-adjust sa sistema dahil papalit-palit agad ang mga namumuno,” he explained.
But this revolving door might soon be addressed after the Senate adopted House Bill 10521 last January which prescribes fixed terms for ranking officers of the AFP.
“Mas mainam sana na mapasama dito ang PNP dahil pareho naman iyang sistema sa AFP. Gusto natin na mas maayos ang pamumuno sa ating kapulisan para magimprove pa ang kanilang performance at mas maging disiplinado sila,” Eleazar said.
