Lacson urges Napolcom to give PNP OIC Gamboa power to appoint personnel

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday urged the National Police Commission to give the Philippine National Police's officer-in-charge power to appoint police personnel and a voting right in the commission.

During the Senate budget plenary deliberations, Lacson said a PNP OIC like Police Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa should be given this power.

"Medyo awkward, National Police Commission na walang pulis. We understand may provision sa batas. I think there could be a way for Napolcom to do something about this," said the senator, a former PNP chief himself.

At present a PNP officer-in-charge is just an observer in the Napolcom and not allowed to appoint personnel.

"Kung pwede may Napolcom resolution to allow him to sit as an ex-officio member with voting rights. Kung observer wala siyang magagawa roon," said Lacson.

He also suggested a resolution allowing the OIC to appoint PNP personnel from the lowest rank to lieutenant colonel.

“Ang hindi lang pwede appoint ng chief PNP ang full colonel. These are presidential appointees. When I was PNP chief, I can promote up to lieutenant colonel. And OIC Gamboa does not enjoy or exercise [that right]," he added.

Lacson said this should be allowed as soon as possible to let Gamboa effectively lead the PNP.

"Tomorrow [can] we expect a Napolcom reso? We don’t know when the President will appoint [a new chief PNP]," he said.

"Ang question ko, how would this affect the overall efficiency of PNP? First sa discipline. If the OIC is not fully empowered to exercise authority, imagine hindi ka maka-promote man lang ng tenyente o kapitan. No matter how good the performance of your personnel you cannot even grant incentive para lalo ma-motivate," Lacson explained.

Gamboa was appointed OIC last month after Police General Oscar Albayalde stepped down as chief ahead of his retirement over his alleged involvement in the ninja cops issue.

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday that he's taking his time appointing a new chief of police.  — BM, GMA News