DOLE says national police clearance requirement for transactions ‘under consideration’

The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) proposal to require a national police clearance (NPC) for “various transactions” is now under consideration by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

"It's under consideration," Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III told GMA News Online when asked about the matter.  He did not elaborate.

In a letter to Bello dated March 10, 2021, PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas told the Labor chief that the PNP is hoping that the DOLE will support the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) “by making the NPC as one of your requirements in your various transactions.”

The PNP chief did not specify what types of DOLE transactions require the national police clearance.

"In using the NPC, the DOLE will have much broader information as to the character on an individual because of its much larger scope, coverage and databases relied upon and at the same time will be able to further contribute to our endeavor of attaining a safer place for the Filipino people to love and do business," the PNP letter further said.

Sinas noted that a total of 55 individuals applying for NPC have been arrested  upon discovery that they have outstanding warrants of arrest.

In a DOLE memorandum dated April 7, the Labor chief called on all his undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, heads of attached agencies, bureaus and services to “consult with your relevant stakeholders and submit your comments, recommendations, and/or plans regarding PNP’s proposal...”

Concerned Labor officials have until May 4, 2021 to submit their inputs concerning the PNP’s request.

In its website, the PNP describes the NPCS as a nationwide issuance of police clearance through online application which seeks to improve the process for criminal records check.

In his letter, Sinas said that with the implementation of the NPCS, an NPC that will be issued to an applicant will reflect his or her record in Batanes even if he or she applied in Jolo.—LDF, GMA News