The chief of the Philippine National Police is correct in warning PNP members that their rules on professional conduct prohibit them from soliciting the endorsement of influential individuals or organizations for purposes of promotion or assignment. Director General Raul Bacalzo warned that cops who violate the rules face sanctions.
It would be good to see the PNP chief carry out his warning, and to see the consequences. Politicians, religious groups and big businessmen who are major contributors to political campaigns endorse police officers for promotion and assignment not only when asked; a number of them actively interfere and demand a say in the system.
This meddling is done not only in the police but also in the military, the prosecution service, the judiciary and almost all agencies of government. This has been one of the biggest hindrances to the development of a merit-based society, and one of the biggest sources of corruption as debts of gratitude are repaid with dirty deals.
The system is ugly, but PNP officers learned long ago that it works, as appointing powers accommodated power blocs and other influence peddlers. An attempt by defense officials to depoliticize the system of appointment and promotion in the military, by introducing legislation that includes detailed criteria for rising through the ranks, has languished in Congress for several years now.
Bacalzo’s warning is laudable, and it can work best with the cooperation of the politicians, religious groups and other organizations that give the endorsements. But they may not be prepared to give up a system that has been beneficial to them.
Without their cooperation, the system can be stopped if the appointing powers, starting with President Aquino, ignore the endorsements and base appointments and promotions on capability. This reform is long overdue. If the President can institutionalize it before the end of his term, he would have contributed much to the creation of a merit-based society. This goes hand-in-hand with his campaign vow to take the straight path or daang matuwid.