Rama still wants mayors to choose police chiefs

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is against the plan of Sen. Teofisto Guingona III to strip the mayors of their powers to choose their police chiefs from a list of three nominees.

Guingona, son of former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr. said he will propose to amend the Republic Act 8551 or the Philippine National Police law that empow-ered the mayors to choose their police chief.

The senator was alarmed by reports that there are some mayors, particularly in Luzon, who are receiving bribes from the illegal jueteng operators and the police chiefs in these areas did nothing against the illegal gambling because of fear from the chief executives.

Another report that reached the office of Guingona is that there are some mayors who just turned their policemen into their private armies, but Rama said it cannot hap-pen in all areas, particularly in Cebu City.

Guingona said one of the best steps in solving the problems of illegal gambling is to remove from mayors their power to select their own chiefs of police by withdraw-ing the requirement that they can choose from a list of three names submitted to them.

As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Guingona said he wants to amend some provisions of the Local Government Code to strip the privilege given to the mayors.

Guingona said he want the mayors to just accept the chiefs of police selected by the PNP leadership in Camp Crame that will be assigned in their areas.

Rama said he is sure that most, if not all, of the mayors of cities and municipalities will strongly oppose the plan of Guingona.

Another City Hall official said if Guingona will not reconsider his plan he might face problems in the next elections because the mayors may no longer support him and campaign against him instead.

Rama said he hopes that the leadership of the new City Mayor's League of the Philippines will make a strong stand against the move of Guingona. (FREEMAN)