Senate approves PNP reform bill on third, final reading

 

MANILA, Philippines  — A bill introducing organizational reforms in the Philippine National Police (PNP) was approved on third and final reading in the Senate on Monday. 

Senate Bill No. 2449, otherwise known as the PNP reorganization act, received 23 affirmative, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, sponsor of the measure, said it specifically seeks to amend Republic Act Nos. 6975 and 8551.

“RA 8551 mandated the National Police Commission and the PNP to propose organizational reforms to our national police agency to be approved by Congress,” dela Rosa said in his manifestation delivered in a plenary session on Monday.

“For several congresses, the proposal to institutionalize these much-needed reforms in the PNP barely moved. In some congresses, the said proposal was given the courtesy of a Committee Hearing, while in others it was simply read on First Reading and then archived. As a consequence, the PNP was forced by circumstance to operate and function with an organizational structure based on a law crafted 25 years ago,” he added.

“Thank you for the support you have shown this bill, for seeing not just its necessity, but also its urgency,” said dela Rosa, a former PNP chief.

In order to enhance the PNP chief’s control in the administration, operation, and oversight of the police force, the measure proposes the implementation of a directorial staff system.

SBN 2449 also seeks to set the term of office for the PNP chief, who shall have a fixed term of two years and shall be compulsorily retired at the maximum tenure or otherwise relieved from office by the President.

It likewise aligns the compulsory age of retirement for the PNP with that of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), setting it at 57 years old.

Apart from these, SBN 2449 states that all PNP Academy cadets will be appointed by the PNP chief or, under his authority, by the PNPA director. 

They will assume the temporary position of police cadet, entitled to salaries, benefits, and emoluments equivalent to a police executive master sergeant.