Gringo Honasan fights for short cops

MANILA, Philippines – Sen Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II on Tuesday, April 2, called on Congress to override President Benigno Aquino III’s veto of the approved bill repealing height requirements for police, jail officers, and firefighters. 

Malacañang confirmed on Monday that the President vetoed the “Act Repealing the Minimum Height Requirement for Applicants to the Philippine National Police, to the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.” (Read: Aquino says no to short cops)

Aquino’s move means the minimum height of 5 feet, four inches for men and 5 feet, two inches for women applying for these jobs would still apply.

Honasan is the main author of the Senate version of the bill. He is the chairman of the Senate committee on public order.

But Malacañang stood firm. The President’s decision to veto the bill is based on realities. It is not a form of discrimination, said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

“There are certain requirements that are really needed. We do not wish to denigrate anyone but there are certain requirements that we need to enforce. Not all detention prisoners are small, that’s one thing, so we need to make sure that we have the average height for a personnel to be able to maintain security, enforce security measures,” Lacierda said.

“We made it clear that the veto does not in any way speak of any discrimination. It’s more of a realization, recognition of the fact that there are certain requirements that we need to enforce,” he said. – Rappler.com