‘Senate to work with PNP in protecting communities’

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri assured officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that the Senate is doing everything in its power to support the evolving needs of the police force.

“The Senate is always here to work with you in our shared responsibility of engendering genuine and lasting peace in our communities and in the country,” Zubiri said in a speech before police officials attending the 44th PNP Academy Grand Alumni Homecoming in Silang, Cavite over the weekend.

“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,” he said.

Zubiri started quantifying this legislative support by mentioning the passage in 2021 of Republic Act 11549 or the “Height Equality Act” which reduced the height requirement for not only police recruits but also officers of 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,” the senator said.

Last month, the Senate passed on third and final reading the PNP Organizational Reforms Act, which aims to update the old structures of the PNP and strengthen and streamline its leadership, organization and management, he said.

“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.

The Jail Integration Act, which will transfer provincial and sub-provincial jails from the supervision of LGUs to the supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), was also passed on third and final reading last week in the Senate.

“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