BRUSHING aside his repeated pronouncement that he “hates” corruption and anyone linked to it, Pres. Duterte has appointed former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary, Vitaliano Aguirre, to the position of ‘Vice-Chairman’ of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Monday, January 11, 2021.
Aguirre replaces Atty. Rogelio Casurao, who died last January 2, 2021, from cancer.
The Napolcom is an attached agency of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its vice chairman effectively runs the day-to-day affairs of the commission.
The commission not only has administrative and supervisory control over the Philippine National Police (PNP), but also handles the investigation and prosecution of policemen accused of corrupt and abusive practices and their dismissal from the service, if warranted.
It can be recalled that Aguirre, Pres. Duterte’s first justice secretary, was forced to resign in 2018, amidst the corruption scandals involving his appointees at the Bureau of Immigration (BI), assistant commissioners, Al Argosino and Michael Robles.
The BI is an attached agency of the DOJ.
In another announcement by the Palace, former Mandaluyong mayor, Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), also last Monday, January 11, 2021.
Abalos, 58, replaces chairman Danilo ‘Danny’ Lim, who succumbed to complications after a bout with COVID-19, last January 6, 2020.
Abalos’s father, Benjamin Sr., had also served as MMDA chairman in 2001, under the Macapagal Arroyo administration.
As a well-known and seasoned local politician and executive from Mandaluyong City, Abalos’ appointment has been welcomed by a cross-section of Filipinos.