MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the term of supposedly outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., the Presidential Communications Office announced on Monday, December 4.

Acorda, Marcos’ second PNP chief, was supposed to bow out from the police service during his 56th birthday on December 3. The incumbent chief will now serve until March 31, 2024, the PCO said.

In April, Acorda was named the head of the 227,000-strong national police force, replacing retired police general Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

Acorda is one of the few PNP chiefs who received a term extension.

“I wish to inform you that, pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, your service as Chief (Police General), Philippine National Police, is hereby extended until 31 March 2024,” Marcos’ letter to Acorda read. 

The PCO said that Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos was also informed about the extension of Acorda’s term. Abalos, as head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, oversees the PNP. 

In explaining Acorda’s extension, Malacañang cited Executive Order (EO) No. 136, series of 1999. Section 1 of EO 136 states: “the President shall approve the extension of services of Presidential appointees beyond the compulsory retirement age, only upon recommendation by the concerned Department Secretary, unless otherwise provided by law.”

Acorda is the 28th chief of the PNP since its inception in 1991. He was a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sambisig Class of 1991. Among his classmates was former acting PNP chief retired lieutenant general Vicente Danao.

Acorda has extensive experience in the police service. He worked in different capacities in local and regional police offices, up to the national headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City. 

Acorda once headed the Civil Security Group and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, and was also among the pioneer officers of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. Prior to his appointment as the country’s top cop, he headed the PNP’s Directorate for Intelligence. 

With his appointment back in April, Marcos continued the trend of appointing police chiefs who have Ilocos ties: those who are Ilocano, had worked in the region, or both. This is similar former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “Davao boys” in the PNP, or police officers who had forged ties with Duterte when he was Davao City mayor.

Acorda traces his roots to Ilocos Region, the Marcoses’ bailiwick, as a native of La Union. House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the President’s cousin, is an adopted member of the Acorda’s PMA class.–  Rappler.com