Palace sees nothing wrong with PSC change of leadership amid election season

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Wednesday the designation of an acting commander of the Presidential Security Command did not violate any policy on personnel transfers this election season. 

At a press briefing, Castro was asked if the movement of officers at the helm of the PSC had an exemption from the Commission on Election's ban on personnel transfers.

''Ayon po naman sa date na 'yan, hindi naman po nag-violate ng anumang polisiya o order o batas so naaayon pa rin po 'yun,'' Castro responded. 

(Based on the date, there was no violation of any policy, order, or law.) 

Comelec Resolution No. 10999 provides the calendar of activities of the poll body for the upcoming midterm elections. The guidelines prohibit the transfer of government personnel from January 12 to June 11, 2025, without prior approval from the poll body.

It also bans the promotion, hiring, and increasing of employees’ salaries and privileges from March 28 to May 11, 2025.

However, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the military is not covered by the Civil Service Law.

'''Pag AFP po di na kailangan ng exemption. Di po sila covered ng Civil Service Law,'' he said.

(If it's the AFP, they don't need an exemption. They are not covered by the Civil Service Law.)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier terminated the designation of Major General Jesus Nelson Morales as commander of the PSC.

A military document showed that Brigadier General Peter Burgonio was designated as the acting commander of the unit tasked to secure President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his family.

Castro confirmed the development and the document.

Pressed for more details about the change of leadership, Castro only said, ''Na-terminate po 'yung kanyang command dahil po ililipat po siya ng ibang duty, 'yun lamang po ang maaari nating sabihin patungkol po diyan sa PSC.''

(He was terminated from command because he will be transferred to another duty. That's what we can say for now.)

Meanwhile, asked if the termination was related to the reported Chinese spies in presidential facilities, Castro said those things were not mentioned.

''Wala pong nabanggit sa atin na ganoon. Lumabas na lamang po na iyon nga po ang kaniyang command will be considered terminated dahil mayroon na pong papalit bilang PSC commander,'' she said.

(It was not mentioned to us. It was just disclosed that he will be terminated and a new PSC commander will be appointed.) — AOL/RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News

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