A bill seeking to modify the rank classification in the Philippine National Police awaits President Duterte’s signature.
The consolidated version of Senate Bill 2031 and House Bill 5236 was transmitted to Malacañang for the President’s signature last Jan. 10.
Also submitted to the Office of the President on the same day was Senate Bill 1363 or “Lifetime Cellphone Number Act,” principally authored by Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, author of Senate Bill 2031, said the measure seeks a more common rank nomenclature to standardize how law enforcers are being addressed.
“This measure is geared towards our collective pursuit of eliminating confusion on how our law enforcers must be addressed and, ultimately, bringing our policemen closer to the populace,” Lacson said.
“In order to maintain its clear distinction from the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the ranks to be used in addressing the PNP personnel shall be preceded by the word “Police,” he added.
The bill primarily seeks to amend Section 28 of Republic Act 6975 as amended, also known as the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.
Under the bill, the PNP rank classification shall be as follows:
– Director-General to Police General
– Deputy Director-General to Police Lieutenant General
– Director to Police Major General
– Chief Superintendent to Police Brigadier General
– Senior Superintendent to Police Colonel
– Superintendent to Police Lieutenant Colonel
– Chief Inspector to Police Major
– Senior Inspector to Police Captain
– Inspector to Police Lieutenant
– SPO4 to Police Executive Master Sergeant
– SPO3 to Police Chief Master Sergeant
– SPO2 to Police Senior Master Sergeant
– SPO1 to Police Master Sergeant
– PO3 to Police Staff Sergeant
– PO2 to Police Corporal
– PO1 to Patrolman or Patrolwoman
Lacson said the rank classification specified in Senate Bill 2031 would not take away the civilian character of the PNP, much less militarize it. (Mario Casayuran)
http://tempo.com.ph/2019/01/21/bill-modifying-pnp-ranks-sent-to-president/
