The appointment of Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge (OIC) Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. to the permanent position will depend on the decision of the incoming president, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said Friday, May 20.
Año stressed that it will be up to the incoming president whether to appoint Danao to a permanent capacity even as he considers the latter as "qualified’’ for the post.
“Kaya nga siya (Danao) rin 'yung pinili ni PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) kaya lang OIC capacity (That is why PRRD chose him but only in an OIC capacity),’’ Año said.
Citing Article 7, Section 15 of the Philippine Constitution, Año pointed out that the president can only order temporary appointments 60 days before the national elections with the recent polls falling on May 9.
He noted that it is a welcome development if Danao is appointed to the permanent PNP post. However, he emphasized that he does not want to "usurp the discretion and authority of the next President.’’
“I’m sure mayroon din silang mga ano dyan, ano tawag dito, mga pinagiisipang mga candidates. Nasa kanya (next President) naman kung gusto niyang magkaroon ng fresh mandate, 'yung permanent chief na iaapoint nya or pwede niyang iappoint na rin si OIC, Gen. Vic Danao para ituloy tuloy niya bilang permanent chief PNP. (I’m sure they have what you call other candidates in mind. It is up to him if wants to have a fresh mandate, the permanent chief he will appoint or he can also appoint OIC, Gen. Vic Danao to be permanent chief PNP),’’ he added.
Año noted that he will have a meeting with incoming DILG chief Ben-Hur Abalos for a smooth and proper transition of power in the department.
“Hindi pa kami naguusap ng personal. Nagtetext kami at through other people din. Naipaparating 'yung mga mensahe so inaayos kasi namin pagpasok nitong June magkakaroon na kami ng formal meetings and greetings for the new DILG secretary (We have not talked personally. We only communicate through text messaging and other people also. We have sent the messages so we are preparing for this coming June where we will have formal meetings and gatherings for the new DILG secretary),’’ Año said.