Lacson hopes Sinas keen on proving his critics wrong

Police Major General Debold Sinas' appointment as incoming PNP chief brought Senator Panfilo Lacson reminiscing on Tuesday about his experience of being entrusted with the same position and facing criticisms too two decades ago.

"20 years ago, on November 16, 1999, critics hit my appointment as CPNP. It was a tough challenge I swore to hurdle if only to prove my critics wrong," Lacson said on Twitter a day after Sinas was named the country's new top cop.

"I hope CPNP Debold Sinas thinks exactly the same," he added.

20 years ago, on November 16, 1999, critics hit my appointment as CPNP. It was a tough challenge I swore to hurdle if only to prove my critics wrong. I hope CPNP Debold Sinas thinks exactly the same.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) November 10, 2020

Lacson was a police official before he entered the Senate in 2001. He was at the helm of the PNP from November 1999 to January 2001 and was known for his initiative of cleansing the police force of police scalawags or "kotong cops."

He also imposed a 34-inch waistline limit for police officers during his term.

Prior to being appointed as PNP chief, Lacson was accused of being involved in the Kuratong Baleleng rubout case which transpired in May 1995. At the time, he was a police chief superintendent and head of Task Force Habagat, one of the police units involved in the case.

In 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling of a Quezon City court clearing Lacson of murder charges in relation to the case.

Lacson would also be later accused of being a mastermind in the killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.  In 2011, the double murder charges filed against him were dismissed by the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court upheld the CA decision.

Sinas, the new PNP chief who would replace retiring Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, drew public criticism earlier this year over the mañanita controversy.

The gathering for his 55th birthday last May amid strict COVID-19 quarantine protocols raised questions on fairness of the implementation of law.

Despite being hand-picked by President Rodrigo Duterte for the PNP chief post, Malacañang assured that Sinas is not yet absolved from the criminal and administrative complaints filed against him related to the mañanita controversy. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News