PNP chief has to retire early – Aquino

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III said that Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Nicanor Bartolome has to retire early in preparation for the May 2013 elections.

Bartolome reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 in March, at the height of the election campaign. This also falls under the election ban on appointments, which disallows the President from appointing a permanent replacement for Bartolome. (Malacañang however can file for an exemption with the Commission on Elections.)

The President said that this is the only reason behind his plan to have Bartolome retire early; he said he simply wants the incoming PNP chief to be given more time to prepare for the elections. The PNP, after all, plays a key role in ensuring a peaceful conduct of the polls.

“In March, he retires and by April the new PNP chief would be in transition. May will be the elections. [If this happens], there would be chaos if we don’t give the new PNP chief time to prepare,” Aquino said in a mix of Filipino and English during an ambush interview with reporters after some activities in Quezon.

Rappler sources earlier disclosed that the Palace has been trying to persuade Bartolome to retire early. The President had wanted Bartolome to replace resigned Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno.

But a source close to Bartolome said he declined the post.

The President said he had spoken with Bartolome about his early retirement, and that Bartolome recognizes the need for him to leave his post earlier than scheduled.

The President said he had spoken with someone to take the place of Puno, “with the clearance” of incoming Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, but he might have to talk to the person again because he was having second thoughts about it.
 
“He might not be ready by the time we need him,” Aquino said.

Being groomed to be the next PNP chief is Deputy Director General Alan Purisima, current chief of the PNP directorial staff and a known Aquino favorite. Purisima had served as a security aide of the late President Corazon Aquino. – Rappler.com