PNP chief keeps silent on possible DILG appointment

MANILA -- Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Nicanor Bartolome said Monday he will wait for President Benigno Aquino III's official orders before he comments on his possible appointment to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"I won't comment on that yet. I will still wait for the President because it's his prerogative. I'll still wait for what his final word to me would be," PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome said Monday.

Bartolome is being eyed by the President as a replacement for Undersecretary Rico Puno in the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"For now, I could not give additional [comments] because it would be appropriate if our President himself will be the one to speak [on the matter]," Bartolome added.

But when asked whether or not he will accept the position, Bartolome said he is a "team player" who "serves under the pleasure of the President."

Bartolome, who marked Monday his first year as PNP chief, will be retiring on March 2013 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

But Aquino said on Sunday that he asked Bartolome to consider early resignation.

The President said Bartolome might be the successor of Puno, who currently faces controversies including an alleged overpriced purchase of PNP weapons that resulted in an investigation by the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo.

Puno, the DILG undersecretary for peace and order, also allegedly attempted to break in Robredo's offices and condominium apartment in search of documents two days after a plane crash that killed the late cabinet secretary. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)