It’s up to the President, Bartolome says on reported DILG posting

Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said on Monday he would wait for what President Aquino would say regarding the reported plan for him to assume a top post in the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Hihintayin ko kung ano ang sasabihin ng ating Pangulo (I will wait what the President will say),’’ Bartolome said during an interview with reporters after the flag-raising ceremony in Camp Crame. Bartolome, who marked his first year as PNP chief on Monday, added he was serving under Mr. Aquino’s pleasure.

Reports said Mr. Aquino has asked Bartolome to take an early retirement as PNP chief so he could be named as the next undersecretary of DILG vice Rico E. Puno who will be transferred to another department. Bartolome will retire in March 2013.

But Bartolome said the President has yet to talk to him about the matter even after Aquino’s arrival on Sunday from Vladivostok, Russia, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting.

In his speech during the flag ceremony, Bartolome said he was happy to have been chief of PNP for a year but hinted he would likely accept the President’s request on the DILG post.

Bartolome also told reporters that he is a team player, but refused to make further comments “as it is the President who should make the final statement.’’

“Hindi muna ako magko-comment dyan ano, hihintayin ko ang Pangulo dahil yan naman po ay prerogative ng Pangulo at hihintayin ko po kung ano ang kanyang final na sasabihin sa akin (I won’t comment on that; it’s the President’s prerogative. I will wait for the President’s final statement),” Bartolome said.