President Duterte has already chosen the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to replace General Debold Sinas, Malacañang revealed.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as Sinas is set to retire on May 8 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
In his Monday press briefing, Roque revealed that President Duterte has already made his decision but refused to reveal the name of Sinas's successor.
"I know he (President Duterte) has made a decision but I am not at liberty to announce anything unless I have the appointment paper," he said.
Roque explained that he will wait for the official paper before he shares President Duterte's pick with the public.
Duterte named Sinas as chief of the PNP in November last year despite controversies during his stint as head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), particularly his mañanita that broke coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine protocols.
Despite this, the President defended his controversial decision to promote Sinas to lead the PNP, saying he saw nothing wrong with what happened even though Sinas was already facing administrative and criminal charges by then.
Meanwhile, Sinas told reporters in Cebu on Saturday that he believed that he delivered as PNP chief.
In a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he has already submitted his recommendation for Sinas's replacement to President Duterte. The paper, however, only bore one name.
Año refused to identify his recommendation to the President but said Duterte has the prerogative to choose anyone with a rank of at least brigadier general in the PNP force.