Newly-confirmed DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla seemed to have struck a nerve with former PNP chief and now Sen. Bato Dela Rosa by saying he wants to trim the number of PNP generals. He initially wanted to trim down to 25 from the current 153 generals but then walked back his statement by saying he wanted it to be less than a hundred. Sen. Dela Rosa cautioned him by saying this would demoralize the PNP which to me sounds ironic. Remulla clarified that no current generals would be fired but they would only wait for them to retire after which reforms would be implemented.
The problem lies wherein some generals are not commanding anything and are merely promoted to that rank. Remulla cites the example of the PNP-National Capital Regional Police Office, which is currently headed by a police general while his deputy is also a police general. Why the need for two generals is his point. His idea is to streamline the top-heavy organization and have a clear delineation of the generals’ duties. He would prefer a merit-based system of promoting police officers rather than just promoting en masse. I found it amusing that Dela Rosa agreed the PNP organization was “bloated somewhere.” He was a former PNP chief, and he couldn’t say where he needed to trim the fat. Perhaps 153 generals would be a good place to start looking.
Another issue Remulla raised is the pension program for retired police officers. The PNP does not have a pension fund, meaning their corresponding salaries are not deducted to fund a pension plan which is what the SSS and GSIS have. Their monthly retirement comes from the national budget. So, with so many generals retired at one point, you could imagine the money that goes to pay all of them until they are no longer around. Former president Duterte raised the wages of police officers and soldiers by 100%, thereby putting more strain on pension funds for both PNP and AFP personnel.
Remulla has his work cut out for him. The DILG oversees the PNP but pushback by police officers on his reforms may be strong. I can imagine all the colonels just waiting for their first star even if they won’t be commanding anything. If Remulla’s reforms come to fruition, these lower-ranking PNP officers would be forced to retire in those lower ranks. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to become a general? Aside from the monetary gain, there is pride in wearing a star on your shoulder.