PNP assures Senate: 8,000 new cops by next year

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome assured the Senate committee on finance yesterday that the PNP can recruit about 8,000 new police officers by July next year in a bid to reach the 1:500 police-population ratio and help curb crimes nationwide.

During the budget hearing for the proposed PNP P73.652-billion budget, Bartolome said the PNP is on the process of filling up 8,234 slots starting November until July next year.

A total of P8.223 billion out of the entire PNP budget is allocated for unfilled positions for 2012, which is currently placed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under the so-called Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF).

“At present, we are processing about 800 (hirings) a month,” the PNP chief told Senate finance committee chairman Sen. Franklin Drilon in a bid to determine if the police force can be allotted its full budget. Bartolome added in an interview that the PNP has about 9,000 applicants and about 5,000 of them may be recruited by yearend. At least 3,000 more applicants will be processed by the first half of 2012.

The DBM has placed a special provision in the 2012 budget to pool the budget for unfilled positions under the MPBF, and it can only be released once the posts are filled.

The DBM decision has raised objections from the judiciary, and heads of Constitutional offices such as the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Elections, Civil Service Commission and Commission on Audit. Sen. Joker Arroyo had raised alarm bells on the MPBF, which he branded as “reverting back to martial law practice” and a violation of the constitutional offices’ fiscal autonomy.

During the budget hearing yesterday, Drilon expressed doubt that the PNP would be able to fill 8,200 posts in an eight-month period, but said they should be able to monitor the PNP’s progress when they start exercising their oversight functions. Drilon made the statement after the Senate committee recommended for plenary approval the budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and its attached agencies, pending the submission of particular explanations asked by the senators from top DILG and PNP officials.

At present, the PNP’s strength is 140,000-strong, faced with concerns on lack of enough personnel and modern equipment.

PNP chief asks for more funds for modernization

 As this developed, Sen. Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, questioned the PNP chief’s request to extend the five-year capability enhancement program (CEP), which is given a P2-billion budget a year since its launch in 2008 until 2012.

Honasan asked why Bartolome sought five more years when the PNP’s modernization program has been faced with controversy, following the anomalous P105-million procurement of three police helicopters in 2009.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee had investigated the PNP over the anomalous and overpriced procurement of two of the three Robinson Ravens, which were said to be owned by former first gentleman Juan Miguel Arroyo.

 “What is the point? That is why we are faced with the problem in this helicopter because the CEP must contain a long-term program which shall be insulated from unnecessary influences,” Honasan said.

Honasan said he is suggesting that the “PNP should know what it already wants to procure until 2013 subject to minimal modification and taking into consideration, technological advancements.”