Noy appoints GMA general to head PPSC

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino appointed a former police general identified with former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo to head the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC).

Aquino tapped retired police deputy director general Ricardo de Leon to head the PPSC with Chief Superintendent Armando Ramolete to command the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

The President replaced PPSC president Ruben Platon and PNPA director Chief Superintendent Noel Constantino, in a move to resolve the conflict between the two officials.

In September 2005, Arroyo appointed De Leon as “interim president” to Mindanao State University. The appointment was met with criticism because it bypassed the nominees chosen by the search committee that Malacañang itself constituted.

De Leon’s appointment as interim president to MSU came a day after he retired from the Philippine National Police (PNP) upon reaching the retirement age of 56. But the continuous protest and criticism forced then president Arroyo to recall the appointment of De Leon more than two years later.

De Leon later served as vice president of the Centro Escolar University until his appointment to PPSC.