Comelec called to ‘undo what Lebin had done’

Mayors who were affected by the recent revamp of the chiefs of police of 24 towns in Iloilo were unable to exercise their rights under the law, according to former Vice Governor Rolex Suplico.

In an interview yesterday, Suplico, who is also running for vice governor under the United Nationalist Alliance or UNA, noted that the revamp took place on Jan. 10, 2013 – three days before the 120-day election period started.

He cited Republic Act 8551 otherwise known as the “PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998” which mandates the authority of city and municipal mayors to choose their town’s chief of police.

He said the said law mandates that “city and municipal mayors shall have the authority to choose the chief of police from the list of five eligibles recommended by the provincial police director, preferably from the same province, city or municipality… Provided, finally that such relief shall be based on guidelines established by the Napolcom.”

Further, he quoted that mayors have the “authority to the recommend to the provincial director the transfer, reassignment or detail of PNP members outside of their respective city or town residences.”

“Notice that the revamp took effect on Jan. 10, 2013, therefore, the mayors were unable to exercise their right under the law,” he said.

“Whether we are of the same color or not of the same color, regardless of political affiliations, Col Lebin has effectively foreclosed the rights of mayors to choose their police officers from the list of five nominees as stated under Republic Act No. 8551, otherwise known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.”

Board Member Jett Rojas agreed with Suplico, saying that the affected mayors allied to UNA lament the IPPO Director Gil Lebin’s move, “kung tani ginsunod ang procedure, ginpapili sa lima, pero ang natabo isa lang ang ginpadala sa kanila.”

He noted that of the 24 affected towns, mayors of 7 out of the 11 towns in the Fifth District belong to UNA.

Suplico stressed that “whether the chief of police given to them is friendly to them or not, the law should have been followed.”

‘UNDO WHAT LEBIN HAS DONE’

Thus, Suplico said they already called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) “to undo what Col Lebin has done, the mayors should be allowed to exercise their options under the law, but this time, because has election period has set in the banning took effect, prior Comelec clearance is now required.”

He said they are also asking the affected mayors to also call on the Comelec, adding that “the LMP Iloilo will also bring the matter to the attention of concerned authorities.”

Earlier, reports quoted Lebin saying that the police chiefs will hold on to their position in an officer-in-charge (OIC) capacity.

Even if the local chief executives would offer resistance, Lebin is bent on carrying the plan.

“Since OIC lang sila, the mayors don’t have to concur,” Lebin was quoted saying.*