'Blocking PNP reshuffle is Robredo's prerogative'

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang justified yesterday the move of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to block the reshuffle of officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), saying he did it as chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Robredo’s move was questioned by some quarters because of President Aquino’s earlier announcement that the interior chief did not have supervision over the police but the Chief Executive himself through Undersecretary Rico Puno.

The latest reshuffle in the PNP would affect 10 ranking police officers and Robredo’s move caused confusion since a number of them had vacated their previous positions to assume their new assignments.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he had not seen Robredo’s letter, but the move was lawful.

“What I was made to understand was that the secretary was only asserting his right as chairman of the Napolcom because (a reshuffle) passes through the National Police Commission,” Lacierda said over radio dzRB.

Lacierda said the Palace would discuss the matter with Robredo.