MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will make a final decision on the possible term extension of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil before the latter’s mandatory retirement on February 7, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday.
This was after Marcos, in a meeting with the DILG officials at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, said he is “inclined” to extend Marbil’s term, Remulla told Palace reporters.
“He (Marcos) has indicated that he is inclined to doing it. So, wala pang (there is still no) final answer,” Remulla said in a Palace press briefing, when asked about Marbil’s possible term extension.
“Ang birthday ni General Marbil ay (General Marbil’s birthday is on) February 7. Before that, he (Marcos) will announce kung ano ang desisyon niya (what his decision would be),” Remulla added.
Marcos on Monday said he is eyeing Marbil’s term extension to ensure the PNP’s stability during the election season.
Remulla backed Marcos’ plan, saying it is better to keep the “status quo” until June or after the elections.
“Six months lang naman ang extension (The extension is just six months) at most,” he said. “Mas importante yung stability ng institution, lalung-lalo na during elections (The stability of the institution is more important, especially during elections).”
Marbil, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sambisig Class of 1991, was named as the country’s PNP chief on April 1, 2024.
He is set to reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 7, 2025.
Remulla said there is already a list of officials who might succeed Marbil.
“Alam niyo rin naman kung sino ‘yung mga contender. Syempre, nasa top sila ng (You also know who the contenders are. Of course, they are at the top of the) hierarchy. So, it’s the President’s prerogative to announce kung sino ang ano niya, ang choice niya (will be his choice),” he said. (PNA)