DILG to eradicate ‘padrino system’ in PNP

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas

Secretary Mar Roxas of Interior and Local Government yesterday said concrete measures are being undertaken by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to cleanse its ranks of any vestiges of corruption, particularly at the start of recruitment of its new personnel.

A survey done by Transparency International revealed that the public perceives PNP officials as among the most corrupt in the Philippines. In a scale of 1-5, the respondents of the survey gave the police a score of 4 overall.

In a statement, Roxas said the issue will be addressed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), PNP, and the National Police Commission (NPC).

“This is a big challenge for us, but we will face this head on through concrete measures,” Roxas said in Filipino. He said major changes will be made in the selection process for the police force.

Roxas said that they will institute measures so that applicants to the police force will no longer have to depend on the support of an insider or a corrupt official, locally referred to as “padrino” system. He said that the tendency of a new recruit is to engage in illegal activity to recover the money that he gave to the corrupt official for processing of his application.

He said all applicants who passed the requirements and exams will now have an equal chance to be accepted in the PNP.

Roxas has ordered DILG personnel to finalize the implementing rules for processing of application. He said a new policeman who undergoes the legal application process most likely will not be pressured to resort to illegal activities. Overtime, there will be improvement in PNP’s public image. (RDA/PIA Newsdesk/DILG)

source:  PIA

Mar Roxas Gives Way to Noynoy Aquino for 2010

Presidential aspirant Senator Manuel Roxas II proclaimed his support to Cory Aquino's son Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for the upcoming 2010 presidential election. Noynoy, however have not yet confirmed his decision for the presidential bid.

“Today, I’m announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president for 2010,” Roxas said in a televised press conference at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila.

“Sa madaling salita, Noynoy has made it clear to me he wants to carry the torch of leadership,” he further added in his speech.

Roxas said that after several talks with Aquino, they came up with a decision that would help them pursue their “common dream” for change.

“Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko [This is the biggest decision I've made in my life],” said Roxas who already released several political advertisements ahead of the 2010 polls. He is also set to marry broadcaster Korina Sanchez in October.

“I do this for unity in support for change…if that means somebody has to make a sacrifice, ako na,” he said.

Senator Roxas have not yet clearly specified as to what will his plans for the upcoming election. Will he be the running mate of Noynoy as a Vice Presidential candidate or will seek re-election in the Senate?

The senator’s late father, former Senator Gerry Roxas, was a close friend and political ally of Aquino’s assassinated father, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. The older Roxas and Aquino almost went against each other for the 1972 presidential elections, which did not push through when then president Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law.