MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has publicly backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s recent decision to veto a proposed bill aimed at reforming the police force, citing concerns over fairness, bureaucracy, and security risks.
According to Philippines News Agency, the organization supports the President's veto due to concerns about maintaining equitable compensation across all ranks and preventing unnecessary bureaucracy and potential security vulnerabilities. The PNP emphasized its commitment to reevaluating the President's comments to foster improved legislation in collaboration with both the administration and Congress. This collaboration aims to strengthen the police force while avoiding the unintended consequences of the proposed reforms.
In his veto message, President Marcos highlighted several issues with the bill, including potential pay disparities among police cadets and the risk of bureaucratic inefficiency due to the creation of overlapping functions and redundant offices. The proposed legislation sought to institutionalize various offices and roles within the National Police Commission (Napolcom), which the President described as creating ambiguities and redundancies.
The PNP reaffirmed its dedication to serving and protecting the public while enhancing its operational effectiveness and public trust. "The PNP will continue to uphold the rule of law and maintain professionalism within our ranks," the statement noted, expressing confidence in achieving meaningful reforms through open dialogue and collaboration.