PNP chief Marquez looks forward to early retirement

Outgoing Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez has been getting offers to work in the private sector.

Marquez is set to retire on June 28 to give incoming President Rodrigo Duterte a free hand in choosing the next PNP chief.

After 34 years of police service, Marquez said he is not keen on accepting  job offers. Instead, he wants to enjoy his retirement and build a house in his hometown.

“When I receive my retirement pay, I’ll build a humble house in Maragondon, Cavite,” Marquez told the members of the PNP press corps in one of his last briefings with the media on Thursday.

Based on the computation of the Directorate for Comptrollership, he is entitled to receive P4.8 million terminal leave and a three-year lump sum or retirement gratuity of P3.2 million apart from his pension benefits.

“I will take some weeks to rest first. There have been job offers. I didn’t want to close the door but at the moment, when you have served the government for the past 34 years, the last three years – the most grueling and most demanding – it’s as if you don’t want to think of working for the time being,” Marquez said.

Marquez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982, will relinquish his post two months earlier than August 28, the day he turns 56, the mandatory retirement age.

Duterte has tapped Marquez’ fellow PMAer, Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa from “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, as PNP chief. The tough-talking Davao native was the former chief of the Davao City Police.

Marquez said his retirement would allow Dela Rosa to be promoted to Director General, the PNP’s sole four-star rank.

“If I will not retire, the incoming chief would not be able to sport this four-star. So I told General Dela Rosa, I want you to hit the ground running come June 30. I will be out by then,” he said.

On June 28, Marquez will be given retirement and testimonial honors at Camp Crame./rga