Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has assured the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership that the Senate will do all legislative means to support the evolving needs of the police force. 

Addressing police officials attending the 44th Grand Alumni Homecoming of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, Zubiri praised the police force in its contribution to advancing the welfare of the people, even saying that the Senate has benefitted from the wisdom of police officers who became senators. 

Zubiri cited former senators Robert Barbers, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Alfredo “Fred” Lim and incumbent Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. 

“The fact of the matter is that as legislators and law enforcers, we have to work hand-in-hand. Whatever instruments we wield, whether it be guns or pens, our goal is the same: to protect and uplift our communities and the whole nation,” said Zubiri. 

“To this end, the Senate has endeavored to develop legislation in support of the evolving needs of the police force,” the Senate chief added. 

One of the legislative support the PNP got from the Senate is Republic Act No. 11549 or the “Height Equality Act” that reduced the height requirement for police recruits. 

The law, likewise, extends the benefits to officers of firefighters, jail and correction officers.

“We know that a good cop is not defined by their height - what counts is their courage, their commitment, and their integrity. And so this law opened the doors for many more Filipinos to enter the police force and dedicate themselves to the service of our people,” he stressed.

Also just last month, the Senate approved the PNP Organizational Reforms Act that aims to update the old structures of the PNP and strengthen and streamline its leadership, organization and management. 

"We will be institutionalizing offices such as the Directorial Staff and the Area Police Command across the country, to fortify their roles and integrate them better into the police force," Zubiri said. 

The Senate has also passed on third and final reading the proposed Jail Integration Act, which will transfer provincial and sub-provincial jails from the supervision of LGUs to the supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

“Under the expert management of the BJMP, we hope to create a more efficient and standardized system of management for all Persons Deprived of Liberty, no matter where they are serving their time,” the Senate leader explained. 

The bill will also complement the Heinous Crimes Facility Act which was passed during the 18th Congress and which has obtained funding this year.

“With that super max (maximum) facility in Mindoro, we hope to decongest our jails, and we hope to establish a better managed penitentiary system that will help low-level offenders have a truly rehabilitative time in prison, away from the influence of high-level offenders,” Zubiri said.

He also said the committee report for the Bureau of Fire Protection and the BJMP Rank Classification Act is already out and ready for plenary debates. 

Likewise, the Senate is also working on bills that would help with the PNP with arms procurement—namely the amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act and the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act.

“The SRDP Act, in particular, is very important to me, because I believe that we should be able to produce our own defense needs, on our own time - instead of relying on our foreign allies for the bulk of our arms procurement,” Zubiri said.

Moreover, the PNP can also look forward to the approval of the proposed PNP Forensic DNA Database Act, which will help revolutionize the country’s criminal investigation procedures and keep the country at par with global standards in forensic sciences and practices. 

"As you can see, the Senate is all in with our support for the PNP and its partner agencies. We value deeply your great selflessness and sacrifice, and we recognize your work to be foundational to our country’s growth. We cannot, after all, pursue progress without first securing peace,” said Zubiri. 

“And so the Senate is always here to work with you in our shared responsibility of engendering genuine and lasting peace in our communities and in the country,” he stressed.