The SOPPB list has been submitted to Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol, who is set to meet with Manila Mayor Lito Atienza this weekend.
"I will reveal to him the names of the candidates, from which he can choose Chief Superintendent Bulaong’s replacement," Querol said.
Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales and Senior Superintendent Nilo de la Cruz are among the favorites in the list.
Rosales is the executive officer of the Directorate for Human Resource Doctrine Development (DHRDD) while De la Cruz is assigned at NCRPO headquarters. Both belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’78.
The three other candidates are Chief Superintendents Louie Palmera, Chito de los Santos and Eric Javier.
Palmera is assigned at the Directorate for Operations, De los Santos at the Directorate for Research and Development and Javier is the chief Directorial Staff of the NCRPO.
Missing from the list are the names of Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarsoza, the OIC of the MPD and Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias, former president of the PNP Academy Alumni.
Bulaong, who went on terminal leave last Tuesday, has been backing Abarsoza, his classmate at PNP Academy Class ’80.
The Metro police chief refused to comment on among the five candidates was the most qualified.
"Hayaan natin si Mayor Atienza na mamili sa kanila," he said.
Under the amended PNP law, the local chief executive has the last say on the choice of city or town police chief.Should Atienza not be satisfied with the choices, he can ask the SOPPB to revise the list.
"Sa tingin ko satisfied na si Mayor Atienza sa candidates at may mapipili na siya," Querol said.