Maliksi refutes PNP claim on police chief's relief

MANILA, Philippines - Cavite Gov. Ayong Maliksi refuted yesterday a recent statement of Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina that the relief of Senior Superintendent Alfred Corpus as Cavite police director was done days before the election period and did not need the governor’s approval because the appointment of Senior Superintendent Primitivo Tabujara Jr. to replace Corpus was just temporary.

Corpus, Maliksi said, was relieved from his post on Jan. 11, a day after the start of the election ban.

He said that although Tabujara was designated only in OIC (officer-in-charge) capacity, it is erroneous for the PNP to say that the appointment did not require his approval. 

In a statement, Maliksi said, “The governor’s right to select from the list submitted by the PNP is not limited to permanent appointments.”

He said the law governing the extent of operational supervision and control of local chief executives, Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, does not limit the power of the governor to select from among the nominees only for permanent appointments. 

Maliksi said there is no justification for appointing an OIC when the post is occupied by an official with a permanent designation.

If Tabujara was only designated as OIC as admitted by the PNP, Maliksi said his tour of duty as OIC lapsed on Feb. 10, as the designation of an OIC is only effective for 30 days.