Who will be the
next PNP chief

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina's resignation as the PNP officer-in-charge last March yet comes as no surprise and was in fact forthcoming especially in the light of the Mamasapano incident where his office was practically bypassed with the full knowledge of President Benigno Aquino III.

The fact that Malacanang kept it under wraps until yesterday showed they knew the backlash of that resignation at the height of the Mamasapano hearing where the whole nation saw Espina weep unashamedly for the massacre and alleged mutilation of the 44 SAF troopers.

Espina, a true gentleman and an officer, did not even reveal the resignation to anyone, allowing Malacanang to reveal it in the proper time. That act, though was another slap on this administration for it shows Espina did not bypass the Office of the President by announcing it way ahead of Malacanang's admission.

Since the Mamasapano incident, there has been a clamor for the President to appoint a permanent head for the PNP in light of the resignation of suspended PNP Director Alan Purisima post the Mamasapano incident. Although Espina's name was among those floated as the possible replacement and which probably would have been welcomed by the public, Malacanang continues to ignore the call.

Now, a month later, it admitted that Espina tendered his resignation as OIC way back but until they choose the next PNP chief, he sits as OIC.

Espina's letter is also very telling of the police force's sentiments saying, "The PNP leadership is grateful to (the) President for his responsiveness to the pressing desire of the police Officer Corps to have a full-time leader who will assume command of the PNP,” and the fact that Aquino still has not done that affirms how obstinate he can be when he wants to.

Another name that was floated alongside Espina is Gen. Benjamin Magalong who also headed the Board of Inquiry in the Mamasapano investigation. Although Magalong is believed to be a good replacement and also another officer held in high esteem by the police force, many think his chances have been compromised after he stated in his report that Purisima and the President bypassed the protocol of the PNP.

So who else is in the running? Although the President is known to appoint his kaibigan, kabarilan, kaklase, I am sure he is more careful now lest he be criticized again, unless of course, he remains true in character and appoint another friend before he steps down.

Yet, ever the gentleman, and despite the insulting act of having been bypassed by the President, Espina called on the police force to continue to rally behind Aquino and whoever he chooses to be the new PNP chief.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe's presidential ratings just jumped by 10 points to 31 percent, bringing her closer to Vice President Jejomar Binay with just five points separating them. Davao City Mayor RodyDuterte also jumped by 10 points tying with DILG Mar Roxas at 15 percent.

Now what does that tell us? The first survey conducted December last year showed Poe with only 21 percent, still second to Binay who was then at 37 percent. Although Binay only dropped a point, the fact that within three months, Poe was able to climb 10 points shows she remains as the biggest threat to Binay at this point.

Of course some Liberal Party stalwarts are quick to urge Poe to run as vice-president under Roxas' ticket and give way to a more seasoned politician and not to hasten her bid so she can win the next election hands down.

Perhaps the LP believes that Poe's magic may just rub off on Roxas and give him a better chance to defeat the more popular Binay. I beg to disagree on this one since Roxas lost the vice-presidency against Binay even when he was paired with the popular Pnoy then.

And why would Poe slide down to someone who just dropped 5 points. Worse, Roxas is tied with Duterte who has been campaigning as a reluctant candidate while he has been touted as the anointed of the President.

While I personally will bat for Roxas, it seems that he needs to triple his efforts to increase his chances and probably the best way to do it is to distance himself from this administration.

A lot of things can still happen. Manny Pacquiao got 1 percentage but if he wins against Floyd Mayweather this May 2, we might see him jump by 10 points in the next survey too.*

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