The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will approve a request by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to relieve the Metro Manila Police chief and give him another post at Camp Crame despite an appointment ban.
This was according to Comelec law department head Ferdinand Rafanan, whose office is currently processing the PNP's letter requesting an exemption from the election appointment ban.
The PNP wanted National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Leocadio Santiago relieved and has plans to transfer him to the PNP's Project Management Office.
Under the law, ranking officials like Santiago—a two-star general—could not be left on floating status and should be given another post in case of being relieved from a post.
Usually, request letters like the one sent by the PNP still have to go through a number of lawyers from the Comelec law department before reaching his desk.
But in an interview with GMANews.TV, Rafanan—sensing the urgency of the request—said he would prioritize it and would be personally reviewing the letter, promising to refer it to members of the Comelec en banc when they meet Tuesday next week.
Once approved, the Comelec resolution granting an exemption will still have to be circulated to the commissioners for their signatures, which Rafanan said could still take another week.
"Pero siguradong papayagan iyan. Palagi namang pinapayagan ang ganyang mga request," the Comelec official said.
Santiago was among four police officials ordered administratively charged for the bloody August 23 hostage crisis, where eight Hong Kong tourists died. The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has been tasked to investigate the police officials.
The NCRPO leadership is set to be turned over from Santiago to CALABARZON regional police director Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome during a ceremony at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
On Friday afternoon of Friday, Bartolome, for his part, is scheduled to turn over the post he will vacate to Western Visayas regional police director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao.—Mark D. Merueñas/JV,
