*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD. EdD
The Chief of the Philippine National Police is not just
another uniformed officer. He is the one man who carries the weight of the
institution’s unity, discipline, and integrity on his shoulders. The four stars
on his collar are more than rank; they are the embodiment of public trust. And
yet, those same stars do not belong to him forever. They are tied to the
office, to the mandate given by the President, and to the confidence of the
people.
General Nicolas Torre III has reached that highest post, but
the question before him now is whether he should remain until his compulsory
retirement—or whether the President should recall his appointment and pass the
four stars on to someone else, perhaps General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., who
is ready to lead.
The law is very clear on this matter. Under Republic Act
(RA) 6975, as amended by RA 8551, the Chief PNP is appointed by the President
from among the senior generals (RA 6975, 1990; RA 8551, 1998). But there is no
fixed term, no guarantee of tenure. The Chief serves at the pleasure of the
President, and that means the appointment can be recalled anytime. Once the
President withdraws his trust, the Chief loses not only the post but also the
four-star rank that comes with it. Those stars are tied to the position, not
the man.
History gives us the examples Oscar Albayalde stepped down early when the “ninja cops” controversy shook the
PNP. Leonardo Espina served as Officer-in-Charge, but because the official
Chief was still on paper, his authority was weakened. In all these cases, one
thing was consistent: the President made the call. The stars were not
permanent. They belonged to the office, and when the trust was gone, they passed
to the next Chief (Purisima v. Lazatin, G.R. No. 157838, 2004).
This is why attrition by demotion, as provided by RA 8551,
cannot apply to Torre. Demotion is for ordinary officers. For the Chief PNP,
the real mechanism is presidential prerogative. The President can recall the
appointment, strip the stars, and give them to the next man in line. It is
legal, it is constitutional, and it is necessary when leadership unity is at
stake.
The question, then, is not whether it can be done. It is
whether it should be done now. And here, the argument is about the future of
the PNP and the stability of the nation.
If Torre stays on non-duty status until his retirement, the
four-star slot will remain locked. Nartatez may act as leader, but always with
the shadow of “OIC” over his head. The rank and file will see the hesitation,
and the public will feel the uncertainty. The PNP will drift into the same
limbo it experienced during the Purisima–Espina episode, when authority was
split between the man on paper and the man in practice. That is not a position
the PNP can afford as we approach the 2028 elections.
But if the President recalls Torre’s appointment and hands
the stars to Nartatez, the effect will be immediate. The PNP will have one
leader with full legitimacy, the chain of command will be clear, and the police
can march forward with unity. The people will see a decisive government and a
stable police force ready to guard the ballot box and protect communities.
And for Torre, this need not be a stain on his record. A
Chief PNP relieved by presidential decision is not disgraced; he is simply part
of the democratic process. In fact, if Torre were to take the higher road and
retire voluntarily before being recalled, he would elevate himself. He would
show that he values the unity of the police more than the prestige of his
stars. He would leave not as one pushed out, but as one remembered for giving
way at the right time.
That, to me, is the true definition of heroism in
leadership. Heroes are not only those who face bullets on the battlefield. They
are also those who choose sacrifice over pride, who step aside so that the
institution they love may move forward whole and strong. If General Torre does
this, he will be remembered not just as a Chief, but as a patriot who chose
unity over position, and country over self.
The President has the power to recall. The law allows it.
History supports it. But in the end, the choice of how this chapter will be
written lies with General Torre himself. If he chooses to retire early, he will
not simply exit the service—he will leave behind a legacy worthy of emulation.
He will be remembered as an officer who carried his stars with honor, a
gentleman who knew when to let go, and a patriot whose last act made him a
hero.
References
• Republic Act No. 6975. (1990). An Act establishing the
Philippine National Police under a reorganized Department of the Interior and
Local Government. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
• Republic Act No. 8551. (1998). The Philippine National
Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998. Official Gazette of the Republic
of the Philippines.
• Purisima v. Lazatin, G.R. No. 157838, June 21, 2004.
Supreme Court of the Philippines.
