THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) has issued an order requiring the resolution of administrative cases against policemen within 60 working days from the filing of the complaint.
“This is justice with urgency,” said Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan, referring to Office Order No. 2025-012 dated June 2.
The order streamlines the process of summary dismissal proceedings of administrative cases against PNP personnel and sets timelines for the resolution of such cases.
“By setting clear timelines and holding everyone accountable to them, we ensure that complaints against police officers are resolved promptly, without delay, without injustice,” said Calinisan.
“Our goal is simple but bold: no case shall drag on. We act fast, fair, and fearlessly,” added Calinisan.
The timelines start from the initial evaluation of complaints, issuance of formal charges, conduct of hearings, and up to the final resolution of cases.
The order said the initial evaluation of the case should be completed within one working day, while the pre-charge investigation must commence within two days.
It said respondents are given five days to file their counter-affidavit, which will be followed by a three-day investigation.
The agency said the investigation report and draft formal charge, if warranted, must be submitted within five working days.
“Once probable cause is found, the formal charge must be issued within one working day; thereafter, a hearing officer must be assigned within one working day,” the order said.
It said summons must be served within two working days, with the respondent required to file an answer within seven working days. The pre-hearing conference should be conducted within three working days after receipt of the answer.
“Position papers must be filed within seven working days, and a clarificatory hearing, if needed, held within two working days,” it said.
“The hearing officer must then submit a report of investigation within seven working days, and the Napolcom En Banc is given 14 working days to render a decision,” it said.
The agency said the reform must be implemented to expedite the internal disciplinary process, restore public trust, and improve morale within the police force “by ensuring swift and fair resolutions to administrative complaints.”
Calinisan also cited the need to refresh the knowledge of policemen on when and when not to arrest an individual.
Calinisan made the remarks as the Napolcom, the National Capital Region Police Office and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-National Capital Region signed last Wednesday a memorandum of agreement to institutionalize education on law for NCRPO personnel.
“This partnership reflects our shared mission to equip our police officers not only with the tools to uphold the law, but also the wisdom to exercise it with integrity and fairness. We are committed to fostering a culture of rights-conscious, accountable policing that protects both our enforcers and the public they serve. When we educate our police, we fortify the rule of law,” said Calinisan.
Calinisan, a former chairman of the People’s Law Enforcement Board in Quezon City, said it was difficult for him to see “good-intentioned cops getting sued because of a lack of mastery of the law.”
“To be ultimately ‘street ready,’ our policemen need to be refreshed on when and when not to arrest an individual. We also need to reinforce knowledge of our troops as far as the Miranda Rights are concerned,” said Calinisan.
“A well-equipped police force, with knowledge of what the law is, will strengthen the trust and confidence of our people in our policemen. As Napolcom, which administers and controls our PNP, we will make stronger the relationship of the community with both the PNP and the Napolcom,” added Calinisan.
