Mar: Noy has last say on PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will have the last say on who will be succeeding Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome upon his retirement in March next year, or less than two months before the national elections, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the other day.

Roxas said he will consult with Aquino on whether the Chief Executive will retain Bartolome as PNP chief or if he has choices other than Director Alan Purisima, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1981, now chief of the PNP Directorial Staff.

“I will still be consulting with the President,” said Roxas, who was with Aquino and Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya in a private event late Thursday.

The appointment of Bartolome’s successor has been an issue since there is a Commission on Elections (Comelec) prohibition on the transfer and/or relief of police and election officers three months before election day.

There were reports that Aquino might ask Bartolome to opt for early retirement, but the PNP chief said the President had not made such a request.

Roxas said he will announce his plans for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) when he formally starts his job on Monday.

“By Oct. 1, when I formally take my oath, I will announce my plans,” he said.

Despite Aquino’s statement that he will be giving Roxas a freehand in handling the affairs of his department, Roxas said Thursday that the appointment of the next PNP chief is the President’s prerogative.

Since Bartolome’s retirement date will be within the election ban, it has yet to be determined whether the PNP chief will be asked anew to retire early or if his term will be extended beyond the May 2013 elections.