Relieved but never removed

It comes as no surprise to hear allegations that officials in the Philippine National Police intervene to protect fellow officers and men facing disciplinary action or dismissal. This behavior is institutionalized under an old school term called “arbor” which has nothing to do with trees. “Arbor” in street slang is to take someone under your protection or custody, to pull away and protect, or a favor to give away or release someone usually a suspect or guilty person. It draws from misplaced alliances or a corrupted sense of pity and obligation. It persists because of the “brotherhood culture” and lack of indoctrination and training on professionalism, values and accountability. It is a byproduct of an older culture of patronage.

Unfortunately, it will take radical action to eradicate the “arbor” culture for as long as we produce officers and men who are part of a “batch”, or a “class” in an academy where affiliation often dictates some form of compromise or accommodation. It is tragic that it takes public humiliation for people and officers to realize the high price that such compromise entails. Not only are the accused subjected to public suspicion, we now find institutions such as the PNP shaken and destabilized after one of their own took courage to step up and speak out against its current Chief. All these could have been avoided if the officers involved had a way out, an automatic process where any and all investigations, incident reports etc. involving misconduct or criminal activity, suspensions or removals are required to be submitted to several independent monitoring bodies such as the DOJ, Ombudsman and or DILG Secretary. Such a mandatory procedure would give the officer in charge or concerned a reason or excuse why they cannot intervene, hide or sabotage disciplinary action.

Another problem that needs to be addressed is the limitations on the PNP to directly file criminal complaints against its uniformed personnel. We always hear officials say they have relieved scalawags but never immediately removed and charged them. I still have to interview lawyers from the PNP but somewhere there lies the problem. Either way, the practice of “arbor” has now caused great injury that members of Congress and the Senate should craft a law that will seriously penalize an elected or appointed public official for interfering, obstructing or undermining the disposition of justice on civilians and uniformed men alike.

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It seems there is now a rush to shortlist who will be the next chief PNP once PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde retires or is forced to retire. That is not a remote possibility since there have been some former chief PNP who retired early as requested by past presidents in order to hasten the transition or appointment of choice. At the moment “rumors” have it that the list has four names, three senior officers and a relatively young candidate who is much younger. Among the four candidates, two served in Davao City and have links to the Duterte camp. The more senior one is linked with the former mayor now President Duterte, while the younger candidate is linked with now Mayor Sara Duterte. In fairness all four candidates are co-equal in terms of experience and accomplishments but word is that the current concern over choosing a senior officer for chief PNP is the problem of retirement. The revolving door scenario has been noted and makes a much younger candidate who won’t be retiring until 2022 more acceptable.

I was shocked that the name of General Guillermo Eleazar was not mentioned by my source and when I asked around, someone told me that the hard work and high visibility of General Eleazar, especially his public scolding of sleepy head cops allegedly worked against him. I guess it’s true that President Duterte is not fond of high visibility people the same way he expressed displeasure at former DA Secretary Manny Piñol for being too vocal and visible. On the other hand, General Eleazar contributed a lot in making the public aware of the continuing anti-criminality drive of the PNP, their war on drugs as well as the positive actions of the PNP. Even his “pag-batok” or knuckle raps and scoldings sent out a message that the PNP does not tolerate sloppy sleepy personnel. Unfortunately, Gen. Eleazar’s close association with the now controversial PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde could reduce his shining star. Let’s all pray that the really best man and honest cop wins!

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One of my favorite congressmen Rufus Rodriguez has been so active as a legislator and he is now pushing for three major changes that require amendments to the Philippine Constitution. First he wants to give Congress the authority to pass laws that can improve the investment environment in the Philippines and will lead to foreign companies or investors being able to own companies instead of the 60% Filipino/40% foreign. This will also allow Congress to pass laws that can allow foreigners to own land. All they have to do is add a comma and insert the line “Or as provided for by Congress/Law”.

Cong. Rufus also wants to lengthen the years of service of Congressmen. Instead of the 3 years in office, Rodriguez wants to bring back the old system of 4 years and only two terms so that legislators can do more work and not waste their current third and last year campaigning and spending money. Lastly Cong. Rufus wants each Region to have a Senate representative especially in the Visayas and Mindanao so that real time – real life concerns in those areas are properly expressed and attended to.

It is clear that Congressman Rufus Rodriguez has sincere intentions but I would be the first to tell him that his timing sucks. As good as his ideas are, the current controversy over “Pork” and the distribution of hundreds of millions to congressmen and billions to their Deputy Speaker and Speaker has many people fuming. Best to do it one at a time, one bill per year. Maybe!

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