Seventeen senior officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were finally promoted after months of delay due to some issues raised in connection with the organization structure and promotion system in the police organization.
The late approval of the promotions, which was believed to have been first caused by the illegal drugs-related purging in the third level officers of the PNP and was further delayed by the barangay election ban, resulted in the demoralization among senior officers, especially that a handful of them will be affected by no promotion rule for officers whose stay in the PNP is less than one year.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. acknowledged the contentious issues that delayed the promotion and expressed gratitude to the senior officers who respected the process at the level of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
"I want to acknowledge each one of you who have patiently waited for months. Your perseverance and dedication have not gone unnoticed,” said Acorda.
"There were contentious issues that prolonged the process, but you stayed resilient. Today, we can all proudly say that your waiting and sacrifices have paid off,” he added.
Leading those who were promoted was Police Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, the 4th man of the PNP as the Chief of the Directorial Staff, a three-start rank position.
Those who were promoted to the two-star rank were now Police Major Generals Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., the director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO); Sidney Hernia, the director of the Anti-Cybercrime Group; Rommel Marbil, the Director for Comptrollership; Leo Francisco, the Director for Operations; and, Samuel Nacion, director of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
Also promoted to the rank of Police Maj. Gen. was Benjamin Silo, Jr., the director of the Civil Security Group (CSG).
On the other hand, those promoted as new generals of the PNP, or with the rank of Police Brigadier General are Jerich Royales, director of the Information Technology and Management System; Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV, deputy regional director for Administration of the Cagayan Valley Regional Police; Romeo Macapaz, the director of the PNP-Intelligence Group; Job Russel Balaquit, the executive officer of the Directorate for Operations; and, Bernie Orig, executive officer of the Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development.
Also promoted to the same rank were Jerry Protacio, executive officer of the Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management (DICTM); Dindo Ryes, executive officer of the Directorate for Comptrollership; Jeffrey Fernandez, executive officer of the Directorate for Police Community Relations;Jose Manalad, Jr., of the Office of the Chief PNP; and, Portia Manalad, chief of the Women and Children Protection Office.
"We all know that it has been a long and arduous journey, but you made it. You stood firm in the face of adversity, patiently waiting for your well-deserved promotions. And finally, the wait is over,” said Acorda, in his speech after administering the oath of office of the newly-promoted senior officers.
"This momentous occasion holds great significance as it not only acknowledges your professional achievements but also showcases your embodiment of the principles that lie at the very core of the PNP," he added
The approval of the promotion of more than 100 senior officers were affected by the issues raised in the Napolcom.
Amid rumors of demoralization in the PNP for the long delay in the promotion, Interior Secretary and Napolcom, chairman Benhur Abalos explained that promotion was affected by the restructuring of the PNP under the Republic Act 85511, which mandates the Napolcom)to prepare and submit to Congress a proposed PNP reorganization plan not later than December 31, 1998.
The submitted proposals in 1998, 2008, 2009, and 2011 were not approved.
Another issue was the rank distribution on the reorganization plan raised by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as opposed to the actual distribution of ranks in the PNP.