Up to Duterte if lifestyle check criteria in choosing PNP chief

October 23, 2019

The officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it will be up to President Rodrigo Duterte if he wants to include lifestyle check as a basis in choosing the next PNP chief.

In a chance interview at Camp Crame, Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa said it is better to respect Duterte as there is a vetting process being undertaken by his office.

“So whatever the suggestions of the public on how the president should choose the next chief PNP I suggest we respect the president should he include lifestyle or any other kind of vetting,” said Gamboa.

“I fully recommend that we leave it up to the Office of the President who is actually mandated by law to choose the next chief PNP,” he added.

Gamboa said he will not comment on any questions regarding his candidacy as he is the current officer-in-charge of PNP.

“From the very beginning I told the public that I want to separate my candidacy and being the OIC because every time I I open my mouth as OIC we cannot prevent that being a candidate will be attached to that,” he said.

Meanwhile, two contenders, Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan and Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar said don’t have any problem with the suggestion.

ACT-CIS Representative Eric Go Yap suggested a lifestyle check against cops pursuing to be the next head of the PNP to make sure their records are clean. Ella Dionisio/DMS