SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri has assured the products of the PNP Academy of legislative support to boost their evolving needs.
In his speech delivered during the 44th PNP Academy Grand Alumni Homecoming in Silang, Cavite last Saturday, Zubiri said the Senate has been crafting legislation that will benefit members of the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to ensure they advance the welfare of the people.
“The fact of the matter is that as legislators and law enforcers, we have to work hand-in-hand. Whatever instruments we wield, whether it be guns or pens, our goal is the same: to protect and uplift our communities and the whole nation…To this end, the Senate has endeavored to develop legislation in support of the evolving needs of the police force,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri praised the police force for its contribution to advancing the welfare of the people, adding the Senate has benefitted from the wisdom of police officers who became senators, among them Robert Barbers, Panfilo Lacson, the late Alfredo Lim and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.
Zubiri quantified the legislative support by mentioning the passage in 2021 of Republic Act No. 11549 or the “Height Equality Act” that reduced the height requirement not only for police recruits but also for firefighters and jail and corrections officers.
“We know that a good cop is not defined by their height – what counts is their courage, their commitment, and their integrity. And so, this law opened the doors for many more Filipinos to enter the police force and dedicate themselves to the service of our people,” he said.
He said that just last month, the Senate passed on third and final reading of the PNP Organizational Reforms Act which aims to update the old structures of the PNP and strengthen and streamline its leadership, organization and management.
“We will be institutionalizing offices such as the Directorial Staff and the Area Police Command across the country, to fortify their roles and integrate them better into the police force,” Zubiri said.
He said the Jail Integration Act, which will transfer provincial and sub-provincial jails from the supervision of local government units to the supervision of the BJMP, was also passed on the third and final reading last week.
“Under the expert management of the BJMP, we hope to create a more efficient and standardized system of management for all Persons Deprived of Liberty, no matter where they are serving their time,” Zubiri said.
He added that the bill will also complement the Heinous Crimes Facility Act passed in the 18th Congress and has been given funding this year.
“With that supermax facility in Mindoro, we hope to decongest our jails, and we hope to establish a better managed penitentiary system that will help low-level offenders have a truly rehabilitative time in prison, away from the influence of high-level offenders,” he said.
He also mentioned that the committee report for the BFP and BJMP Rank Classification Act is out and is ready for plenary debates.
Apart from legislation targeting institutional improvement, Zubiri said the Senate is also working on bills that will help with the arms procurement of the police force, namely, the amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act and the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Act.
“The SRDP Act, in particular, is very important to me, because I believe that we should be able to produce our own defense needs, on our own time – instead of relying on our foreign allies for the bulk of our arms procurement,” he added.
He said the PNP can also look forward to the PNP Forensic DNA Database Act which will revolutionize criminal investigation procedures and keep the country at par with global standards in forensic sciences and practices.
“As you can see, the Senate is all in with our support for the PNP and its partner agencies.
We value deeply your great selflessness and sacrifice, and we recognize your work to be foundational to our country’s growth. We cannot, after all, pursue progress without first securing peace,” Zubiri said.