Senators agree President has sole prerogative to sack Torre
Published Aug 26, 2025 11:11 am
At A Glance
- Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, a former PNP chief himself, said Torre acted "beyond his authority" of unilaterally relieving his second in command, PLtGen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. without clearing it with the President.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos talks to PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla during the celebration of the 124th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP Transformation Oval in Camp Crame, Quezon City, August 22, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, a former PNP chief himself, said Torre acted “beyond his authority” of unilaterally relieving his second in command, PLtGen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. without clearing it with the President.
Lacson said, normally the designation (and relief) of the members of the PNP Command Group - Deputy for Admin, Deputy for Opns and Chief, Directorial Staff should be cleared with the President or at least the ex-officio Chairman of the NAPOLCOM, also the SILG.
“Even when ex-President Estrada gave me the blanket authority to run and manage the PNP during my time as CPNP, I did not exercise absolute authority over the designations of the members of the Command Group,” Lacson said.
“Having said that, the relief of PGen Nicolas Torre III is the sole prerogative of the President of the Philippines. What is important at this point is a smooth transition and transfer of command and authority so as not to hamper the overall mission of the PNP to continue maintaining peace and order for the benefit of the people whom they have sworn to ‘serve and protect’,” he said.
“Morale in any organization is relative. Those ‘close’ to the outgoing CPNP will understandably be disappointed. Bottom line is - the PNP, just like the AFP or any uniformed organization is composed of professional men and women who are trained to obey legal orders from the duly constituted authority,” the senator said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada also said the President’s decision to replace Torre is a prerogative that lies solely with the President, as like any other appointee in the Executive branch, “he serves at the pleasure of the President, which means he can be removed at any time.”
“Whatever the reason behind the leadership changes in the police force, I trust that this decision was made with the best interests of the Filipino people in mind,” Estrada said.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo also said he finds nothing irregular about the President’s decision on Torre: “All officials of the executive branch serve upon the pleasure of the President.”