3 to 4 short-listed for next PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has short-listed three to four aspirants as possible successor of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., who will retire on April 1.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said yesterday he would submit the list to President Marcos before the end of the week.

Marcos extended Acorda’s service until March 31.

Acorda turned 56, the mandatory retirement age for PNP personnel and officials, on Dec. 3, 2023.

“I will enumerate the performance of the generals who can be the next PNP chief. I will tell my position on this, but at the end of the day, the President, as the commander-in-chief, will have the final decision,” Abalos said.

He said it is up to Marcos if he would again extend Acorda’s term.

“I cannot second-guess the decision of the President,” Abalos said, adding that among the qualifications of the next PNP chief is the official’s performance record.

“For me, he should be output-based. There should be results. The results are important not only in the PNP, but in all other agencies. Good results are needed,” Abalos said.

He said the next PNP chief should prioritize the illegal drug problem.

“Aside from drugs, the No. 1 problem is cybercrime. Next is index crimes, which actually went down, but the campaign should be strengthened,” Abalos said.

The PNP is an attached agency of the DILG.

Executive Order 36 issued in 1999 recognizes the power of the President to extend the service of presidential appointees in the PNP beyond the compulsory retirement age for exemplary meritorious reasons.

Marcos appointed Acorda as the 29th PNP chief on April 24, 2023, replacing retired general Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

Acorda is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sambisig Class of 1991.

He has been with the PNP for almost 37 years. He headed the Directorate for Intelligence before he became chief of the police organization.