The attestation by the Civil Service Commission on the appointment and promotion of members of the Philippine National Police, that is also being required by the National Police Commission, is described by some police officers as “unduly unnecessary”.

The clamor from the PNP officers is being taken up by House Bill 3351, sponsored by former police general-turned Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, that seeks an amendment to Section 31 and 96 of Republic Act 6975, by removing the requirement of attestation from CSC, to expedite government transactions and reduce bureaucratic red tape and processing time for appointment of police personnel.

RA 6975 is an act establishing the PNP under a reorganized Department of Interior and Local Government.

Considering that Napolcom has administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP, Civil Service laws should only have suppletory application to avoid conflicting issuances that may affect personnel management or police operations, Bataoil said in his proposed bill.

Clearly, it is the Napolcom which is vested with the power to effectively supervise and control the PNP, as stipulated under Section 5 of RA 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998. As such, the bill states, it is the most competent authority to determine the qualification for appointment and promotion of police officers.

Bataoil had served as provincial police director of Negros Occidental from 1995 to 1998.

The proposed bill, now pending deliberation by the Committee on Public Order and Safety, also states that the appointment of non-uniformed personnel shall be governed by Civil Service laws, rules and regulations and the Napolcom and PNP will promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.*GPB

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