The date was already set for the turnover of command but will there be a new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on March 27?

For Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., the discussion between him and President Marcos as to who would replace Police General Benjamin Acorda, Jr. as the country’s top cop will be this week.

And it starts, according to him, with the presentation of the accomplishments of all the qualified generals in the police organization.

“I will be talking to the President either later (March 20) or within this week and we will be laying down the performance of the generals that could be appointed as the next Chief PNP,” said Abalos.

“But number one (qualification) for me, it’s output based. This is the most important not only in the PNP but also in other organizations,” he added.

In an earlier press briefing, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they are already preparing for the turnover of command next week: “We are already preparing for the change of command. In fact, we already have a date, March 27.”

Acorda was supposed to retire in December last year after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. But before his retirement date, President Marcos decided to extend his tour of duty until March 31 this year. 

And since the PNP is busy for the Holy Week security measures, the schedule of turnover was set four days earlier.

“While we are preparing for the change of command, our security preparations for the Holy Week are ongoing. On the part of the Chief PNP, he is still focused on his work, he is still busy,” said Fajardo.

Fajardo said she is not aware either if the President asked for recommendation from Acorda, or Acorda recommended names as to his replacement.

But for Abalos, he has three to four names whom he would recommend to President Marcos as the next Chief PNP.

Abalos and Fajardo, however, emphasized that the President has the authority on whether or not he would extend the tour of duty of Acorda anew as the Chief PNP.