2 senior officials recommended as acting PNP chief

Facade of the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. Image from pnp.gov.ph website

MANILA, Philippines — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año has recommended to President Rodrigo Dutere two senior police officials to take over from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos upon his retirement on May 8.

“Nakapag-submit na ako ng recommendation last Tuesday sa ating pangulo.  Dalawang senior police officials ang pangalan na binigay namin,” Año said in Teleradyo interview on Friday.

 (I have already submitted my recommendation last Tuesday to our president.  I submitted the names of two senior police officials.)

“Bukod sa based sa seniority, based na rin sa competency yun yung panuntunan [Aside from seniority, my recommendation is also based on competency],” he added. 

According to the DILG, Duterte’s choice will only serve as PNP chief in an acting capacity or serve as an officer-in-charge.

He cited the 1987 Constitution which states that no appointments in an executive position, except for temporary ones, shall be made 60 days before election day.

Año, meanwhile, said that the President “has the absolute authority” to pick an acting PNP chief outside of the DILG’s recommendation.

It is also Duterte’s discretion to extend Carlos’ term as PNP chief. 

But Año said the President will likely install an acting PNP chief instead.

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