Senator Nancy Binay has called for the revival of the Peoples' Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) in local government units to help address complaints against errant policemen.
"Maganda siguro na buhayin itong PLEB, na each locality may PLEB na may civilian component, 'yong type of court na pwedeng mag-address tayong mga civilian kung may problema tayo sa mga kapulisan (It might be a good idea to revive the PLEB, that each locality will have the PLEB, the type of court where civilians can address problems involving policemen)," Binay said in an interview with ABS-CBN Teleradyo on Tuesday.
The PLEB, created in 1990 through Republic Act No. 6975, was granted the authority to hear and decide citizen's complaints or cases against erring officers and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Under the law, there shall be at least one PLEB for every municipality and for each of the legislative districts in a city.
There shall be at least one PLEB for every 500 city or municipal police personnel, it added.
The PLEB may rule to suspend, demote or dismiss a policeman from the service if found guilty of the charge.
Binay said the PLEB will ensure a prompt and fair disposition of cases.
"Kasi ang problema dito kasama pa din nila ang nagdedesisyon sa mga kaso nila kaya may ganoong problema (Because the problem is that those who are deciding on their cases are also fellow policeman)," she said, noting the "slow" action of the PNP's Internal Affairs Service on the complaints against erring policemen.
"'Pag tumatagal ng tumatagal, pati complainant nawawalan na rin ng interes. Dahil isipin mo ikaw na agrabyado, ikaw pa gagastos sa pamasahe, kukuha pa ng abogado. 'Pag tumagal na, hindi mo na lang itutuloy ang kaso (If the cases are delayed, complainants lose their interest. Imagine, you are the one wronged, yet you are the one paying for the fare, for the lawyer. So you end up dropping the case when it takes too long)," she said.
"May frustration din sa justice system natin na medyo may kabagalan (There is also frustration over our justice system, whose delivery is quite slow)."
Binay earlier called for a top-to-bottom re-evaluation of the PNP's ranks after a policeman killed a mother and son in Paniqui, Tarlac last Sunday, December 20.
Jonel Nuezca, assigned in Parañaque City, was captured on video as he shot dead 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank during an altercation.
The incident was also witnessed by Nuezca's young daughter, the video becoming viral on social media.