Acting beyond authority? Ping, Bato weigh in on Torre's relief as PNP chief

Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday shared their own sentiments following the removal of Police General Nicolas Torre III as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

For Lacson, who served as PNP chief from 1999 to 2001, Torre may have acted “beyond his authority” when he relieved his second-in-command, Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Lacson explained that the designation and relief of the members of the PNP Command Group should be cleared with the President or at least the ex-officio chairman of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.

“Even when former President Joseph Estrada gave me the blanket authority to run and manage the PNP during my time as chief PNP, I did not exercise absolute authority over the designations of the members of the Command Group,” Lacson said.

Regardless, he pointed out that the removal of Torre from his post was the sole prerogative of the President of the Philippines. 

“What is important at this point is a smooth transition and transfer of command and authority so as not to hamper the overall mission of the PNP to continue maintaining peace and order for the benefit of the people whom they have sworn to ‘serve and protect,’” Lacson added. 

‘No forever’ 

Dela Rosa, also a PNP chief from 2016 to 2018 under the Duterte administration, said that he has no idea if Torre “abused” his powers as PNP chief. 

“Well, it just goes to show na walang (there’s no) forever. That's the reality sa serbisyo (in public service)—anytime you can be relieved, so you have to be ready,” he said. 

During his stint as PNP chief, Dela Rosa said that he also appointed police officers to different positions but with clearance from Malacañang. 

“I don't know if he did it without the clearance of Malacañang, then maybe meron siyang nasagasaan. As I've said during my time, nagki-clear ako sa Malacañang na minsan, mabilisan ang kailangang aksyunan kaagad, nag-issue ako order then later on I'll just inform Malacañang na ito ang ginawa ko,” the senator said. 

(I don't know if he did it without the clearance from Malacañang, but maybe he aggravated someone. As I've said during my time, I cleared what I did with Malacañang. If there was something I needed to do immediately, I would issue an order and then inform Malacañang about it later on.) 

Asked if Torre deserved to be sacked, Dela Rosa said, “Expected ‘yan sa serbisyo (that’s expected in the service), you can be relieved anytime.”

To recall, Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao head Police Lieutenant General Bernard Banac was named the PNP’s deputy chief for administration earlier this month, making him the second highest-ranking police official behind Torre. 

Banac, back then, switched positions with Nartatez.

The NAPOLCOM later on issued a resolution reversing and modifying the appointments made by Torre. The commission also ordered the PNP to immediately issue corresponding orders with regard to the movement of 11 more officials.

Nartatez is now the new PNP chief following the sudden relief of Torre from his post. 

‘Pleasure of the President’

Aside from Lacson and Dela Rosa, other senators also aired their own opinions following the recent developments in the police organization. 

For Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, what happened was surprising but maintained that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has the power to order such because a PNP chief is “serving at the pleasure of the President.”

“Wala akong nakikitang epekto pero administratively, maaaring meron dahil sa pagkakaalam ko ay 4-star general na si General Torre. Nangyari na rin ‘yan dati na ang 4-star general ay hindi humahawak sa position ng PNP chief,” Escudero said. 

(I don't see any effect but administratively, there may be because General Torre is a 4-star general. It happened before that a 4-star general did not hold the position of PNP chief.) 

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, said he trusts that the decision for the leadership change at the PNP “was made with the best interests of the Filipino people in mind” no matter what the reason is. 

“The decision to replace Police Gen. Nicolas Torre III as chief of the Philippine National Police is a prerogative that lies solely with the President. Like any other appointee in the Executive branch, he serves at the pleasure of the President, which means he can be removed at any time,” Estrada said. 

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also said he respects the appointing authority, even as he was caught surprised by what happened. 

2028 elections?

Senator Imee Marcos also floated the possibility of Torre’s supposed political plans as a reason behind his relief. 

“Masyadong maingay at maugong na nagmamalaki ‘yung ibang classmate niya na tatakbong presidente o bise presidente sa 2028. At nakita na na nakapaskil ang kanilang mukha at sabi pa nga ng iba, ‘di lang pala pulitiko ang epal. Kaya…siguro, inaabangan na rin ng ibang tao dahil may naririnig na pangaabuso,” Imee Marcos said. 

(His classmates are bragging about his plans to run for president or vice president in 2028. It seems that it’s just not the politicians who like to seek attention. So maybe other people were also looking at him because they were hearing of alleged abuses.) 

“‘Di ko alam kung ano ang dahilan. Ang alam ko lang, nagkaroon ng order tungkol sa mga appointment na naiiba ‘yung kay SILG. Eh ‘di naman maaaring ganun, dapat naman talagang magkasundo sila. Nakakahiya eh at naging publiko pa ang alitan nila, ‘di tama yun,” she added.

(I don't know what the reason is. All I know is that there was an order regarding the appointments which was different from the SILG’s. It shouldn’t be like that, and they should really settle this. It's embarrassing that their rift has become public, that's not right.)  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News