Marcos, Poe, Escudero hail new PNP chief

THREE senators welcomed on Tuesday the appointment of Police Director Ricardo Marquez as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), one saying this would finally bring clarity to the command structure of the police organization.

READ: Marquez named as new PNP chief

“The appointment of a permanent PNP Chief would finally bring clarity to the command structure of our police organization,” Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said in a statement.

“I personally know Dir. Marquez because he once served as Regional Director for Region 1. I am confident that he has the ability and experience to lead the PNP and that he will discharge his duty to the best of his ability,” Marcos said.

The senator has been urging Malacanang to immediately appoint a permanent successor of former Police Chief Alan Purisima, saying that a “mere Officer-In-Charge lacks authority to initiate permanent policies that are crucial to the operation of the Philippine National Police.”

Purisima recently resigned from the PNP after he was ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman over an allegedly anomalous deal with a courier firm.

Senator Grace Poe, who also repeatedly called for the appointment of Purisima’s replacement, was delighted with the appointment of the new PNP chief.

“Ako ay natutuwa na nakapagtalaga na ng permanenteng Chief PNP upang magbigay ng kinakailangang direksyon at pamumuno sa buong kapulisan,” Poe said in a separate statement.

“Hindi ko personal na kakilala si Dir. Marquez, subalit anupaman ay kailangan niya ang suporta at dasal nating lahat upang siya ay maging matagumpay sa kanyang paglilingkod bilang bagong Pinuno,” she said.

Senator Francis Escudero, meanwhile, expressed hope that the appointment of the new PNP chief would pave the way for the permanent appointments of other acting positions in the organization.

“I heard he is a professional. I wish him well,” Escudero said of Marquez. “I hope that the other acting positions in the PNP will now be formalized and made permanent.”

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was PNP chief during the time of then President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, described Marquez as “competent” and a professional officer.

“Marquez was my Intel officer when I was Police Director in Laguna in early 1992. Although we never crossed path again since I was transferred to PACC under Vice President Erap (Estrada’s nickname), I’ve always known him to be a professional officer,” Lacson said in a text message.

“He is competent and I am confident that he can handle the PNP very well,” he further said.