PNP clearance requirement questioned

MANILA, Philippines -  Thousands of low-ranking policemen seeking promotion are lining up to secure what was described as “unnecessary” court clearances from the Sandiganbayan for submission to the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

A Sandiganbayan official who has been signing the clearances by the hundreds daily since last week said there appears to be something wrong with the documentary requirement since they only have jurisdiction over high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Sandiganbayan executive clerk of court and spokesman Renato Bocar said the new policy is giving “unnecessary burden” to low-ranking police officers and the anti-graft court.

Asked about the matter, CSC chairman Francisco Duque III provided The STAR with documents showing the PNP is requiring its policemen to secure such clearances in accordance with the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9708.

The law, enacted in August 2009, which amended Republic Acts 6975 and 8551, provides revised rules on the promotion of policemen.

However, Bocar said the IRR “went beyond the express provisions of the law. Those portions are therefore null and void.”

He explained that requiring low-ranking PNP personnel to secure a clearance from a court that does not even have jurisdiction over them is “uncalled for and unfair.”