Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday pledged to address issues regarding promotions in the Philippine National Police (PNP), including the civil service rule making police personnel eligible for promotion every three years.

Remulla said that as opposed to the five-year-rule of the military, the PNP, which is civilian in character, may be promoted after only three years under civil service rules and regulations for as long as they are qualified and eligible.

As a result, he said the PNP organization has become bloated, and being promoted to general is now a right rather than a privilege. “So I propose that it (promotions) should be based on merit, on need, and on function,” he said.

He cited the case of the National Capital Regional Police Office which is headed by a one-star general, and whose deputy is also a one-star general.

“So why do you have two generals of the same rank occupying one position higher than the other?” he said.

During the Commission on Appointment (CA) hearing, Remulla said a lot of the generals are promoted yet have no command directly under them.

“Sometimes there are floating generals and sayang ang capacity nila. With proper conversation and deliberation with the PNP and the national government, we should be able to make the responsibilities of the generals clearer and delineate areas of command much better,” he stressed.

He also mentioned his plans to improve the qualification standards for PNP applicants and provide scholarships to graduates of the PNP Academy for them to pursue law school.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/Remulla-to-address-PNP-promotion-issues/NC-2024-1148