Purification Nicole Acorda (left) and Benjamin Acorda III (right) read the Retirement of the Badge before their father, former PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., during the command conference ceremony held at Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Monday, April 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of RTVM)
MANILA, Philippines — The children of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. could not hide their excitement as they welcomed their father home following his retirement on Monday after more than 37 years in the service.
Acorda’s term was supposed to end last December 3, after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his service until March 31 this year.
READ: Retired PNP chief Acorda: I did my best
During his retirement honors, his children, Police Lieutenant Benjamin Acorda III and Purification Nicole Acorda read the Retirement of the Badge, symbolizing the former chief’s “pride and honor.”
“On your badge are the virtues of service, honor, and justice, which you lived out with unwavering commitment. You are a police officer, and you have worn your badge with honor and pride,” his son, Benjamin, said.
“Now, after 37 years, one month, and 14 days of faithful police service and upon your retirement day, it is now time to retire your badge. You may now detach your badge. Welcome home, papa,” his daughter Purification continued, which garnered heartfelt cheers from the crowd.
Acorda, who seemingly tried to hide his emotions, removed his badge and returned it to Marcos.
“With dignity and honor, I’m now turning over my PNP badge, which is a symbol of power and authority vested upon me as a police officer,” the former top cop said.
Major General Rommel Francisco Marbil replaced Acorda. Under the Marcos administration, Marbil will serve as the 30th police chief and the third head of the PNP.
Before this appointment, Marbil served as the officer-in-charge of the institution’s Directorate for Comptrollership, police director of Eastern Visayas, and Highway Patrol Group, among others.
The new police chief’s term will end by February 7, 2025, after he turns 56.