Bato: NBI to remain as nat’l clearing house despite proposal to improve police clearance system

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will continue to exist as the "national clearing house" even if there is a proposal in Congress to establish a stronger National Police Clearance System in the Philippines, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said Tuesday.

This, after NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin expressed opposition to some provisions of Senate Bill No. 1581, which was filed by Dela Rosa.

"We are mandated by both laws to act as the national clearing house of criminal records," Lavin, said during a Senate hearing on the proposed measure, citing laws that established the NBI.

"If this is only to integrate the local databases of police clearance system, then we have no issue with that," he added.

Dela Rosa gave assurance that his Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs will revise the wording of the bill so that the NBI will not be "threatened" of being overstepped by the police.

"Kayo pa rin ang mananatiling national clearing house. Ang sa PNP lang is gusto lang ma-upgrade ang kanilang systems para hindi sila katawa-tawa sa mga kriminal na mag-apply lang ng police clearancesa kabilang munisipyo, cleared na siya dahil ang record niya sa kabilang istasyon ay hindi na-integrate sa kabilang istasyon," the senator said.

"Aayusin natin ito na hindi kayo maagawan ng papel ng PNP," he added.

Lavin accepted Dela Rosa's response and also vouched for the "very high" integrity of the existing NBI clearance system. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News