PNP chief staying, won’t replace Puno

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Director General Nicanor Bartolome will stay as chief of the Philippine National Police until he retires in March 2013, Rappler learned Thursday, September 13.

A source close to Bartolome disclosed that President Benigno Aquino III eventually decided to make him finish his term and not move to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to replace resigned Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno.

Last week, the President told reporters that he was eyeing Bartolome as Puno’s replacement. But Bartolome himself expressed reservations over it.

Last Wednesday, September 12, the President dropped strong hints that Bartolome was not going to be appointed after all.

Without naming Bartolome, the President told reporters in an ambush interview Wednesday that while he thought he had a replacement already for Puno before he left for the APEC meeting in Russia last Friday, September 7, it seems his choice isn’t ready for the job.

Asked about the vacancy in the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Mr Aquino said: “So may kapalit na ba? Ang pagkakaintindi ko meron ho ‘nung pag-alis ko pero pagbalik ko e nag-usap kaming muli at mukhang baka hindi siya magiging ready sa panahon na kakailanganin siya.” (Is there a replacement? I thought there was when I left but after I came back, I spoke with him and it seems like he’s not ready to assume the post.)

When asked if he was referring to Bartolome, the President said: “Teka, kakasabi ko lang sa’yo wala pa e, then who are we talking about? Wala pa nga. Wala is wala. OK?” (Wait, I just told you there’s no replacement yet. So who are we talking about? No one in particular.)

Bartolome enjoys the President’s trust; both hail from Tarlac.

Our source said the President probably sensed Bartolome’s reluctance to retire early. Bartolome has been telling friends that he finds the DILG post “too political” for him.

While in Vladivostok, Russia for the APEC meeting last weekend, the President told reporters that Puno’s replacement might be Bartolome. His statement confirmed earlier reports that even before Jesse Robredo died on August 18, the Palace had already sent feelers to Bartolome for him to replace Puno.

Original plan

The plan was to take effect late this year. But Robredo died and Roxas was named to replace him, thus fast-tracking the organizational revamp.

A source close Bartolome, however, said that the police general was lukewarm to the idea. For one, this means he would have to retire ahead of schedule. Bartolome will be reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 (for police and military personnel) on March 16, 2013 yet.

The retirement date puts the Palace in a quandary since it will be covered by the election ban on appointments. The President will have to either extend Bartolome’s term or ask him to retire early.

The President’s favorite cop, Deputy Director General Alan Purisima, is waiting in the wings to become PNP chief. Under the early retirement plan for Bartolome this year, Purisima takes over.

But if the Palace names Bartolome to the DILG now, this would put Purisima in an awkward position because the latter has just been promoted — a week ago — to a 3-star rank, as chief of the directorial staff of the Philipine National Police.

An instant and quick promotion for Purisima to the top position would rattle the organization.

Thus, incoming Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas will now have the free hand to appoint his own undersecretary. – Rappler.com