Palace confirms new post being offered to Torre

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro confirmed Wednesday that a new government post is being offered to former Philippine National Police chief Police General Nicolas Torre III.

Castro, however, declined to divulge the government post.

''Confirm po na may inaalok na posisyon,'' Castro said in a briefing.

(I confirm that there is a post being offered.) 

Asked what is the reason for the sudden change of leadership in the PNP, Castro said the President's wisdom on the matter should be respected. 

''Maliwanag naman po siguro ang pagkakasabi ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla kahapon at mayroong mga issues na hindi napagkasunduan at we just have to respect the wisdom of the President on this matter,'' she said.

(What Secretary Remulla said was clear and there are some issues that weren't handled well and we just have to respect the wisdom of the President on this matter.)

For Castro, it was not a messy transition since the matter has been discussed with the concerned parties. She added that Torre respects and understands the decision. 

''Huwag naman nating masabi na nagkaroon ng messy transition because nagkausap naman po sila at alam po natin na naiintindihan ni General Torre kung ano iyon naganap at nirerespeto rin po niya kung ano po iyong naging desisyon ng Pangulo,'' she said. 

(Let's not say that there's a messy transition because they've discussed this and General Torre understands this and he respects the decision of the President.) 

Earlier on Tuesday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was considering Torre for a government position following his sudden relief as PNP chief. 

“I was privy to a conversation that the President is considering him for another post in government,” Remulla said at a press conference. 

“We will know soon if General Torre will accept,” he added.

Torre took over as the 31st PNP chief in June. 

He became the first alumnus of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to lead the police organization. Torre would have had around one year and seven months left to serve as the PNP chief before reaching the retirement age on March 11, 2027. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News