Marcos extends term of Marbil

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has extended the term of Philippine National Police Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil by four months.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, this will be effective on February 7, 2025, his retirement day.

A memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that Marcos has approved the extension of Marbil’s government service beyond the compulsory retirement age of 56.

Marbil thanked Marcos for his trust and confidence in the top cop’s leadership. According to Marbil, he will work on improving the preparations for the 2025 elections during his extended term.

“Thank you for our President for trusting and having confidence in the PNP under my leadership.The 4 months extension will help us refine and improve the preparations we made for the election,” Marbil told reporters in a message.

In a separate statement, Marbil vowed that he will maintain “integrity, professionalism, and dedication” in the police organization as he aims for “peaceful, credible, fair, and honest elections." 

"With this extension, I am deeply honored and grateful for the trust, confidence, and unwavering support of our President. I assure him, and the entire Filipino nation, that I will remain steadfast in upholding the PNP’s commitment to serve with integrity, professionalism, and dedication,” he said.

“This extension allows me to focus and work harder on our preparations for the 2025 national and local elections, ensuring that we deliver peaceful, credible, fair, and honest elections," he added.

Marbil, the 30th PNP chief, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Sambisig Class of 1991. He took command of the PNP top post on April 1, 2024.

Several PNP chiefs in the past have also had their terms extended by the sitting president.

These included Benjamin Acorda Jr. under Marcos Jr. administration, Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa under Duterte administration, as well as Leandro Mendoza and Edgar Aglipay under Arroyo administration.

Under Executive Order No. 136, series of 1999, a president has the authority to approve the extension of services for presidential appointees beyond the compulsory retirement age

-- with reports from Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrate News