SEN. Rodolfo Biazon yesterday commended Marines Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino, an official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, for refusing and exposing a bribe attempt in exchange for the dropping of the charges against three drug suspects.

Marcelino, at a hearing of the House oversight committee on drugs, said he was offered P3 million to drop the case but he immediately rejected it.

Biazon, a former Marine and Armed Forces chief, said some higher officials might pin Marcelino for exposing the bribe offer.

He said he would file a resolution lauding Marcelino and expressed hope the commendation would rally the public behind the officer.

He said the commendation also aims to inform the people that there are many soldiers who are performing their duties.

He said if Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is commended whether he wins or not, there is no reason the Senate could not commend Marcelino for his good deed.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he is reviewing a military policy authorizing the deployment of officers and enlisted men in civilian agencies, including the PDEA.

"The officers, by performing operations that are civilian in nature, could be exposed to temptation which could also affect their career," he said.

Soldiers are also deployed at the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group. Some are serving as bodyguards and aide to a number of VIPs.

Aside from Marcelino, also assigned to the PDEA is Army Maj. Valentino Lopez who had been accused of offering a P50 million bribe to an election official to rig results of the 2004 elections in Western Mindanao. Lopez was then the aide of controversial former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

Capt. Neil Estrella, Marines spokesman, said the Marine Corps is not going to meddle in PDEA affairs.