Lacson bill sets more reasonable rule to disqualify cops from promotion

A BILL filed at the Senate will make it possible for a policeman who has been charged administratively or criminally but against whom probable cause has not been established to remain eligible for promotion.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said his Senate Bill 2429 will provide a more reasonable rule to deny a PNP member promotion while protecting policemen against undue harassment "through baseless cases filed against them to hinder their chances of getting the promotion they have worked so hard for."

Section 38 of the PNP law provides that "no uniformed member of the PNP shall be eligible for promotion during the pendency of his or her administrative and/or criminal case or unless he or she has been cleared by the People's Law Enforcement Board and the office of the Ombudsman of any complaints proffered against him or her, if any."

Lacson said his bill will only deny a member of the PNP promotion if there is already a finding of probable cause against him or her. "Mere filing of an administrative or criminal complaint shall not be a bar for promotion; however, upon finding of probable cause, concerned police officer shall be ineligible for promotion, provided that if the case remains unresolved after one year from the determination of probable cause, the concerned police officer shall be considered for promotion," Lacson said in his bill.

PNP deputy chief for administration Jesus Verzosa had earlier urged lawmakers to amend certain provisions of the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 (RA 8551) to bar the promotion only of those cops who have pending administrative or criminal cases filed before a regular court or the Sandigan-bayan or other disciplinary/adjudicatory authority.

Verzosa wants those facing service-related case at the Ombudsman, the Prosecutors' Office or the PLEB or other investigative bodies not to be disqualified from promotion.

Police officers complained that harassment cases filed against certain policemen have deprived them of their well-deserved promotion because of Section 33.

This same section also bars an officer from being promoted unless he/she has passed the required examination at the National Police Commission or the Philippine Bar, and has completed an appropriate and accredited course at the PNP Academy or equivalent training institutions

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution amending the PNP law to give police personnel a chance to remain in the service even if they have not earned a college degree but the Senate has not.