PNP promotion still suffers from ‘selection,’ ‘favoritism’

DESPITE repeated pronouncements by its leadership of “reforming” and “professionalizing” the promotion system of the Philippine National Police (PNP), it remains dominated by ‘selection’ and ‘favoritism.’

Particularly on the issue of promotion to star-ranked position, disgruntled policemen said those deserving to be promoted despite ‘deficiency’ in “time-in-grade” and length of service could have been promoted had the sitting Chief PNP exercise his “discretionary power” equitably.

They cited the case of PNP chaplain, erstwhile colonel, Jason Ortizo.

Last June 4, 2020, Ortizo was promoted by then outgoing PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, to the rank of police brigadier general, despite being “younger” from other officers deserving to be promoted.

“With due respect to now Gen. Ortizo, it should be pointed out that he is a ‘lateral entrant’ to the PNP and belonged to ‘Class 1999.’

“He thus ‘jumped over’ the heads of those under consideration for promotion, particularly those from Class 1991 and 1992,” the sources pointed out.

The promotion of Ortizo, they said, was based on Section 26 of the PNP Law (RA 6975), which, among others, empowers the Chief PNP “to direct and control tactical as well as strategic movements, deployment, placement, utilization of the PNP or any of its units and personnel,” among others.

The promotion, they likewise pointed out, is beyond the ‘zone of consideration’ contemplated under a resolution of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) issued in 2012.

The power of the Chief PNP under Section 26 of RA 6975 was further elaborated under PNP MC-2018-011, where he was also given the latitude, “in the interest and exigency of the service,” to designate a “third level officer” to any position of responsibility “which is not consistent with the established career ladder system” of the national police organization.

Other notable police officials who benefited from Section 26 of the PNP Law, they added, are former Manila Police District director, Isagani Genabe and Francisco Villaroman.

Both were promoted to the next higher rank, sources noted, despite issues about their time-in-grade’ and the ban on promotion for officers with less than one year of service.

“Was Section 26 exercised by the PNP leadership on their behalf because they were ‘mistah’ at the Philippine Military Academy,” they asked.

The PNP leadership remains dominated by graduates of the PMA thus marginalizing the promotion chances of others who joined the police force by other means, such as the graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy and those who joined by direct commission, lateral entry or being “absorbed” from the defunct Philippine Constabulary when the PNP was created in 1991.