MANILA, Philippines – He was a senior officer who, for the most part of his career, was a stranger to President Benigno Aquino III. But when Ricardo Marquez donned his police badge one last time, the president had nothing but praises for a man who tells it like it is.

“Kilala din natin si Ric bilang pinunong kapag kinausap mo, sasabihin niya ang totoo; hindi makikipagplastikan o magsisinungaling para lang magpalapad ng papel,” said Aquino on Tuesday, June 28, during Marquez’ retirement honors inside Camp Crame.

(I know Marquez as a leader who tells the truth; he doesn’t put on a facade or lie just to show off.)

Aquino, who will be stepping down from office on June 30, added: “Kaya sa totoo lang, isa siya sa mga pinuno na ngayong magwawakas na ang termino, ay talaga namang may halo tayong panghihinayang. Mayroon po kasing mga pinunong kapag nagpapaalam na sa serbisyo, gusto nating sabihin: ‘Hay, sa wakas, magreretiro na.’ Pero sa pagtatapos ng pamumuno ng isang Ric Marquez, tiyak kong marami ang makakaramdam ng: ‘Sayang naman, sana mas matagal pa siya sa serbisyo.’”

(So to be honest, there’s a mix of regret now that he’s about to end his term. You see, there are leaders who, when they say goodbye, you want to say: ‘Finally, he’s retiring.’ But now that Ric Marquez’ term is ending, I’m sure a lot feel: ‘What a shame, if only he could stay on longer.’)

Marquez, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1982, was Aquino’s 4th and final appointee to the top spot in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He was supposed to retire in August 2016, when he turns the mandatory retirement age of 56. But he chose to end his term early, partly to give way to Chief Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s pick to lead the PNP.

Marquez had earlier said he would tender a “courtesy resignation” to whoever would win the 2016 presidential election, to give the country’s next leader a chance to pick his or her own PNP chief.  

Speaking during Marquez’ retirement ceremony, Aquino heaped praises on the 4-star general, citing the PNP’s work in reducing crime, arresting wanted criminals, and securing large-scale events such as Pope Francis’ visit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Marquez headed security efforts for the two high-profile events held in 2015.

“‘Yan nga po ang katangian ng liderato ni Ric Marquez: mahusay, maaasahan, may malasakit at paninindigan sa pagtupad ng mandato. Sinasagad ni Ric ang bawat pagkakataon para pahusayin pa ang serbisyo ng ating kapulisan,” said Aquino of Marquez, who served as PNP chief for a little over 11 months.

(That’s the kind of leadership Ric Marquez has: capable and reliable, with compassion and a resolve to fulfill one’s mandate. He made the most out of every chance to improve the PNP’s service.)

On July 1, Dela Rosa is set to formally take over the 160,000-strong police force. Deputy Director General Francisco Uyami Jr, the sole member of the PNP Command Group, will serve as officer-in-charge of the PNP during the two-day transition from one PNP chief to another. – Rappler.com